POWER OF THE KING AGAINST POWER OF EVIL

- What can you say about the place and role of Saudi Arabia today in the world in general and the Arab world in particular? Can you say that your country is as good as its word in the light of current events in world politics?

- The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on whose territory Islamic holy places are situated, has a special place among Muslims. At the same time this country occupies important positions in the international community by virtue of its constant efforts towards the restoration of peace and justice and the development of the poor and needy peoples of the world. Our kingdom is believed to be the largest donor-country and a basic partner in international development. Our kingdom is in first place in the ratio of allocated aid to GDP. The amount of aid we have allocated is 1.5 per cent of the country's GDP. In addition, in recent years the kingdom has moved into the forefront in terms of donations to humanitarian projects. The amount of aid, loans and subsidies allocated by the country is in excess of 100bn dollars. This aid has been used by 75 countries, most of which are Muslim.

- Saudi Arabia conducts a pro-Western policy in education and culture. Why western education and not eastern?

- The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has always tried to be open with all peoples and peace-loving cultures. As far as the education sphere specifically is concerned, within "King Abdullah's education programme" the Kingdom sends young people away to get a higher education in such leading countries as Japan, China, Korea, India and Malaysia to benefit from their academic and cultural experience. In the 2013-14 academic year 120,000 people were sent abroad through the Education Ministry to study and work at a cost of about 6bn dollars. A total of 25 per cent of the budget is spent on education. This year alone 56bn dollars have been allocated for basic and higher education, as well as vocational training.

- At times Saudi Arabia has actively intervened in disputes or wars between Muslim countries. Whose side are you on - the side of force or justice?

- One of the basic principles of the Kingdom is non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, and we are always advocating a peaceful solution to all conflicts and wars. Since our foundation the Kingdom has concentrated all its efforts and opportunities towards serving the Islamic world. We always favour justice. The Syrian problem is a vivid example. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia offers the international community its assistance in achieving a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis.

- Incidentally, last year the news of the visit to Moscow by the head of the Saudi Arabian intelligence service, Prince Bender bin Sultan, had a big impact in the world's press. It was alleged that he had made tempting proposals in exchange for Russia's refusal to support the Syrian regime. Otherwise, bin Sultan would covertly threaten the security of the Sochi Olympics. Would you like to comment on these reports in the western press?

- There is absolutely no truth whatever in the last part of your question. The Kingdom cannot resort to such means. As I have already said, we are offering all efforts to solve questions by peaceful means. It was precisely for consultations as part of our efforts and search for a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis that Prince Bender bin Sultan made his visit to Russia.

- Saudi Arabia is one of the world's biggest oil states. What can you say about the role of this wealth in the destiny of the state? Where will dependence on oil lead the country? Would you say that oil dependence is on the wane in Saudi Arabia?

- Naturally, we don't deny that God has given us this wealth. The government is always trying to use this wealth for the benefit of the country and its citizens. At the same time, other sources of state revenue are being encouraged and developed. Billions of dollars are being invested in reducing oil dependence and increasing the production potential of other sectors. As a result, the production of non-oil GDP has increased fourfold with an overall growth of the gross product of 6 per cent. The ratio of the non-oil sector to GDP has risen from 35 to 67 per cent, and the ratio of non-oil revenues to the country's overall income has increased from 16 to 22 per cent.

- The pilgrimage to holy Mecca is the sacred dream of millions of Muslims. How possible is it do you think for everyone to carry out this dream?

- We also hope that the dreams of millions to visit holy Mecca will come true. With this in mind, the government will continue to carry out a number of projects to increase the capacity of the Holy Mosque to three million, extending the area for carrying out their necessary rituals. When the latest project is completed in the middle of 2015 the capacity of the area for the tawaf (the ritual circling of the Ka'bah during the hajj) will increase from the present 48,000 to 105,000 people per hour.

- What does Mecca mean for Saudi Arabia? Would it be correct to consider this holy place a basis for tourism?

- The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not see pilgrims as tourists or a source of income. Our country considers its duty to serve Muslims and to create favourable conditions for them to carry out their rituals in comfort. As in the past, so now billions of rials are being invested in huge projects to create a more modern system to help the pilgrims. At the same time, the aim is not to extract revenue but to create conditions for the free and unhindered conduct of rituals.

- Once a week the King receives ordinary citizens. Does he really want to be seen personally with the people and to listen to their problems directly? Is this not perceived as a PR exercise?

- King Abdullah (may God protect him) meets the people, chats with them and listens to their problems. These are ordinary working days for him and he gets used to this long before he becomes king. He sometimes goes to visit people to see how they feel in their own environment. If necessary any citizen of Saudi Arabia can meet him. This shows the close link between the authorities and the people.

- Recently the head of Saudi Arabia's main investment department, Abdullatif bin Ahmed al-Osman visited Baku. What spheres of the Azerbaijani economy are of interest to Arab businessmen?

- The visit to Baku by members of the government and businessmen in a delegation of 65 led by the chairman of the main investment directorate took place last December. It was linked with the third session of the joint inter-governmental commission on cooperation that was being held here. During the visit a number of documents were signed, useful meetings were held between Saudi and Azerbaijani investors and possibilities for cooperation and investment in industry, agriculture, the services sphere, and so on, were discussed. We hope that a lot of joint projects will arise as a result of this visit.

- There are a lot of Azerbaijani doctors working in Saudi Arabia. What was the need for this?

- The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is experiencing a need for qualified specialists and has been trying to attract them to the country. It is not surprising that among these are Azerbaijani doctors who for years have been proving their experience and professionalism. This is testimony to the cooperation between our two countries in the health sphere. Our Kingdom has great potential for exchanging experience in this field. Saudi Arabia has become a centre for the treatment of many diseases, especially various disorders and heart and liver surgery. Dozens of successful heart and liver transplant operations have been carried out in our clinics. The biggest achievement in the field of medicine is the separation of Siamese twins. With God's help, following instructions by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, our Kingdom puts its name to unprecedented success and has won the title of the "Kingdom of humanity".

- What can you expect from the point of view of the development of bilateral relations?

- The fraternal relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Azerbaijani Republic are based on mutual respect, open friendship, a common Islamic heritage, cooperation and complete coordination based on the two countries' interests. These relations, which are a reason for pride for all of us, are developing thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud and his brother, the Most Reverend President Ilham Heydar oglu Aliyev. We are trying to develop these relations with our brothers in the Azerbaijani Republic in all spheres, especially trade, investments and culture.

- The Islamic Conference Organization, which embraces the whole of the Islamic world, has more than once adopted resolutions on the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict and recognition of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. What role are these documents playing in a settlement to the conflict?

- The organization has held many conferences and has adopted decisions on the Nagornyy Karabakh question. As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia we support the territorial integrity of the Azerbaijani Republic in this question in line with the decisions and resolutions of other international organizations. We hope that these decisions will help towards a settlement of the problem and that peace and calm will return to the region.

- Mr Ambassador, thank you for the interview. What else would you like to add to our conversation?

- I would like to thank you for raising such important questions. I highly appreciate the role of the media in developing and strengthening ties between peoples and countries and in providing readers with correct information. With your permission, I would like to add that recently in some of the local media there have been attempts to link the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the funding of radical and terrorist groups. I would like to say to your dear readers that Saudi Arabia herself suffers more than anyone in the world from this and opposes terror and extremism in all its forms and manifestations. My country, while supporting all international anti-terrorist organizations, has come out with regional and international initiatives in the struggle against this evil and to prevent it.

One of these initiatives is the proposal by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud to create an international centre for the struggle against terrorism under the aegis of the UN. Our country has allocated financial aid to the sum of 100m dollars for the effective work of this centre. All this once again shows that the kingdom opposes terrorism, extremism and violence in any part of the world.