Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdulaziz and Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz issued a joint statement today with Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Salih, describing the talks during the President’s visit to Riyadh on February 17 and 18 of 2004, which were attended by a number of ministers and advisers, as characterized by fraternity, understanding and amicability. The two sides discussed the latest international developments as well as bilateral relations, notably the situation in Iraq and the Palestinian territories, and efforts to activate consolidated Arab action through the League of Arab States.

Saudi Arabia and Yemen stressed their desire to advance their cooperation and partnership in all areas, reflecting the spirit of fraternity embodied by the June 2000 Treaty of Jeddah on demarcation of their borders, and by the security cooperation agreement that is confronting destabilizing and terrorist actions. They affirmed joint responsibility for the security and stability of the two countries, and were in complete agreement on border issues, including joint patrols, monitoring posts, and joint security arrangements in areas susceptible to infiltration and smuggling.
The statement re-affirmed Saudi and Yemeni denunciation of terrorism in all its forms; expressed their desire for preservation of the integrity of Iraq, with an end to its occupation and a start to the Iraqi people administering their own affairs; and stressed commitment to the Arab peace initiative for the Middle East that was submitted by Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and adopted by the Arab Summit in Beirut, referring to it as the ideal way to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the region and facilitate an independent Palestinian State with Al-Quds [East Jerusalem] as its capital, and urging the United Nations and the Quartet Committee to implement the ‘roadmap’, protect the Palestinian people, and remove Israel’s segregation wall.

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