Queen of Spain with the antiquity and the modernity of Saudi A.
The Queen of Spain could contemplate poles today both opposed of Saudi Arabia ': the ruins of Diariyadh, of 500 years ago, and the futurist hospital Prince Sultán, whom it completed with a route by the National Museum.
In the second day of stay in Riad, Doña Sofía had a parallel program to the one of Don Juan Carlos, whom she initiated with a visit to the ruins of Diariyadh, near the capital. The primitive constructions of marinate have not resisted the passage of time and the Saudi Government has undertaken his reconstruction to reflect what was its culture five centuries ago and the place where the present ruling dynasty, To the Saud, had its first enclave when creating the State of Saudi Arabia 73 years ago.
The host of Reina in this occasion was it yesterday princess Hassa, the wife of King Abdullah- was princess Abeer, niece of the King and handcuffs of the present Saudi ambassador before Madrid, prince Saud.
Doña Sofía was interested in these ruins that, as she herself said, are a door to the future and a window to the past, and close by knew her dependencies and the singular method to make arrive from the ceiling the water, warmed up with bonfires, to the ponds of the bath. Originally construction dealed with enormous surrounded by towers defensive, which today it is shaped in the scale models with the five original parts, that were during centuries the social center, cultural and religious.
The dryness of the desert and the houses of marinates, still camouflaged but, if it fits, in the landscape of a day without sun, fucsia was broken with the suit that Doña Sofía chose for this visit.
Reina of Spain does not impose, does not vindicate, but their gestures are eloquent. In a while in that in Saudi Arabia opening speech, their women follow of black. Many take to the head and the feet without the lid. Others aspire to lead and they obtain it only in closed enclosures, like the National Museum, and with cars to play golf, but many of their rights are ignored.
The two saudíes journalists who today followed the visit of Reina left only the eyes free - one of them under sun glasses although assured that they had chosen it freely.
Of the dryness of the ruins of Diariyadh, the hosts of Doña Sofía took to the Humanitarian Center Prince to it Sultán, who rises in the middle of the desert. Conceived like a futurist building, in him they exist themselves most of the medical specialties, although he dedicates himself mainly to the prótesis and the rehabilitation, counting on the most modern technologies. Doña Sofía talked with a young military man, disabled person, who already can move, but he was interested mainly in smallest, like Saida that, with two years and means, has balance problems. The Center depends on a Foundation. Their doctors are of 29 nationalities, of which only the 20 percent is Saudi, and of that at the moment depend 130 patients, although the capacity is of 500. The relatives coexist during some time with the patients before they return to his houses, because the objective of the center is the social reintegration of the patients with discapacidades.
To the entrance there was a great panel with the photo of Doña Sofía, in whom the welcome in Spanish occurred him and, before beginning the explanatory session, sounded the Hymn of Spain.
Reina also visited the National Museum, opened to the public eight years ago and that in eight galleries the evolution of the Arabic peninsula shows, from the ' time of the ignorance before the revelation of the Islam', to today. When finishing the route by the Museum, Reina will have supper in house of princess Abeer.
Saudi Arabia and Spain decide to hold periodic meetings.
RIAD. - Spain and Saudi Arabia have decided to hold periodic meetings and bilateral consultations on questions of mutual interest, from the conviction of which with it "it will contribute to the fortification of international La Paz and the cooperation".
The Kings of Spain initiated Saturday a visit to the country. This commitment appears in writing in the memorandum signed in Riad, in the presence of the Kings of both countries, after the supper that the Saudi monarch, Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, offered to Don Juan Carlos in his Real Palace.
Abdullah receives to the King of Spain in the door of its Palace.
The king of Saudi Arabia, Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, salio tonight to the doors of its Palace to receive the King of Spain, when this I arrive in full dress at the supper in its honor, during its first day of official visit to Saudi Arabia, that makes next to Queen.
King Abdullah I approach until the entrance to its residence to greet to king Juan Carlos, a gesture very little habitual in the kingdom arabe, and that responds already to the familiar character that the monarch wants to give this visit, like demostro this late when accompanying to the Kings from Aerial Base - on where I land the airplane of the Spanish Aerial Force in which they traveled until its residence in the capital.
It is for me a great pleasure to pay an Official Visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the fourth since my accession to the throne of Spain. I vividly re-call the hospitality I always received in my previous visits to this great and splendid country and the warmth of its people.
Since the founding of the present Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, now almost three quarters of a century ago, this country, under the able leadership and guided by the wisdom of the Al-Saud Royal Family, has advanced steadely, both politically and economically. During my Visits, I have been a privileged witness to this progress, which has resulted in the renewed respect that Saudi Arabia nowadays enjoys, in the region and in the world.
A few months ago, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Abdullah, became Head of State. I have been acquainted of his qualities of leadership for many years. He has been crowned at a challenging time, when the region is facing old and new conflicts which threaten local and international stability.
His wisdom will be essential for situating Saudi Arabia in the forefront of the peace efforts. Saudi Arabia and Spain are both also at the forefront of the fight against terrorism. In these efforts, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques will have, I assure you, all the support of My Government and the people of Spain.
Economically, the Kingdom has seen dramatic changes in the past year. The economic measures taken by His Majesty King Abdullah have paved the way for a new climate of confidence and optimism. New horizons for the private sector, for the youth and for women have ushered in a new mood in the country. The King Abdullah Economic City offers an excellent example in this respect as it will be an engine growth for Saudi Arabia.
The far-sighted policies of your leaders have been a stabilizing force in the world energy markets, contributing decisively to the strengthening of our economies. Last December, Saudi Arabia became a member of the World Trade Organisation, - with, I am pleased to say, the support of Spain. In the foreseeable future, the Kingdom will benefit tremendously from this renewed integration into the global economy.
Spain has become a highly developped country in a relatively short period of time. We have become a leading capital exporter, - the fourth largest in the world in 2005 according to United Nation´s statistics. Our rate of growth has been among the highest within the European Union for the past ten years; in the last two decades, we have reshaped the landscape of our country with new airports and highways, high speed trains and industrial plants.
And we are ready to engage in close cooperation in every field with a partner as vibrant and energetic, as is Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia and Spain share a culture that spanned and flourished for more than eight centuries. We enjoy a very close political relationship. Now is the time to reinforce our bilateral links with strong economic ties.
I am therefore very pleased with yesterday´s signature of various relevant bilateral agreements; I am also confident that the negotiations currently under way for an agreement to avoid Double Taxation will soon be finalized.
Today´s meeting and presentation at SAGIA mark the beginning of a new relationship between businessmen leaders and industrialists of our two countries, to the benefit of both our peoples.
Finally, allow me to express my happiness at being here with you today. I sincerely hope that your efforts to strengthen the ties between Saudi Arabia and Spain will be successful. I am deeply greateful for your warm welcome and hospitality towards myself, my official delegation and the businessmen accompanying me.
I am sure that with the enlightened support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Abdullah, His Government and the people of Saudi Arabia, the future of our bilateral cooperation will be brighter and closer than ever.
The Kings of Spain have undertaken today trip from return to Madrid after concluding their official stay of three days in Saudi Arabia, a visit that has opened hopeful possibilities of business for the Spanish company in this country of the Persian Gulf that lives an excellent economic moment.
King Abdulaziz went to the same Air base to dismiss the Kings Prince Salman, Governor of Riad, that last night entertained to Don Juan Carlos with a supper. The airplane of the Spanish Air Force in that the Kings to Madrid return took off of Riad to the 12,45 hours (one hour less in Spain).
Before, in the residence of the ambassador of Spain, Manuel Alabart, Don Juan Carlos and Doña Sofía had offered a reception to a representation of the Spanish colectivity - considered in five hundred people who live and work in this country, and between that are numerous Spaniards married with saudíes. The Kings conversed with all of them, being interested in their occupations in a country that is the center of the Islamic faith and whose King is Guard of the Two Sagradas Mosques: Mecca and Medina.
The Kings of Spain have undertaken today trip from return to Madrid after concluding their official stay of three days in Saudi Arabia, a visit that has opened hopeful possibilities of business for the Spanish company in this country of the Persian Gulf that lives an excellent economic moment.
To intensify in economic bilateral relations that in the politician are already excellent, according to the Governments of both countries recognize, has been in the origin of this trip of the Kings, in whom, again, it has been left of manifesto the narrow friendship that unites to the Royal Families Spanish and Saudi. Own King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, in the throne from August last after the death of King Fahd, in the evening went Saturday to Aerial Base of Riad to give the welcome to the Kings, to that at any moment has lavished gestures of friendship and proximity.