FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSSES FIGHT AGAINST PIRACY AND ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION WITH YEMENI, SAUDI ARABIAN COLLEAGUES
22.12.2008
Foreign Minister Urmas Paet met with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Yemen Abu Bakr Abdullah Al-Qirbi and State Minister for External Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Nizar Obeid Madani in Vienna on Friday, 19 December.
At his meeting with the foreign minister of Yemen, the two discussed establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries. “We agreed to establish diplomatic ties in the near future,” said Foreign Minister Urmas Paet. “Following that, a non-residing ambassador of Yemen to Estonia can be named,” he added.
They also discussed the battle against piracy in Aden harbour near Yemen, as well as the situation in Somalia. Foreign Minister of Yemen Abu Bakr Abdullah Al-Qirbi stated that international peacekeeping forces would be needed to strengthen the fight against piracy and improve the situation in Somalia. He noted that the European Union could also play a large role. Foreign Minister Paet said that the European Union started a military operation for combating piracy off the coast of Somalia two weeks ago. “The entire international community needs to co-operate in order for a lasting result to be achieved,” Paet emphasised.
At his meeting with the state minister for external affairs of Saudi Arabia, Foreign Minister Paet proposed that the countries name reciprocal honorary consuls. Paet also extended an invitation for the Saudi Arabian minister to visit Estonia.
The Estonian foreign minister stated that Saudi Arabia is a key nation in ensuring stability in the Persian Gulf region and the Middle East. “Saudi Arabia’s role in the Middle East peace process is extremely important,” Paet asserted. Foreign Minister Paet also said that Saudi Arabia is one of the most significant donor nations for development aid in the world. “Estonia is interested in Saudi Arabia’s activities contributing to the reconstruction of Afghanistan and Iraq,” he added.
Paet stated that Estonia would like to create an agreement base with Saudi Arabia and develop contacts in both the political and economic realms. He made a proposal for a Saudi Arabian business delegation to visit Estonia.
