The Council of Ministers on Monday reiterated that Saudi Arabia welcomes the return to normalcy in Turkey under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his elected government, within the framework of constitutional legitimacy in accordance with the will of the people of the country. The weekly session of the Cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, deputy premier and minister of interior, at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah, also expressed the Kingdom's keenness on the security, stability and prosperity of Turkey. The Crown Prince was briefed on the content of the telephone conversation made by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman with President Erdogan, congratulating him on the restoration of normalcy in Turkey. He was also briefed on the telephone talks between the monarch and the new British Premier Theresa May congratulating her on assuming office. During the telephonic talks, the King also emphasized the strong relations between the two countries. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of Culture and Information Adel Al-Turaifi said that the Cabinet condemned the terrorist attack in the French city of Nice, offering its condolences to the French government, people and the families of the victims, and wishing the injured a speedy recovery. The Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom's firm stand of backing France in combatting terror. The Cabinet also warned against the threat of terrorism posing to the entire world, which has taken several forms, shapes and ideologies that would eventually lead to killing of the innocent people, stressing the Kingdom's firm positions and its strong stand to confront terrorism, in addition to reaffirming its commitment, determination and cooperation with other countries to pursue terrorists and drain their sources. At the outset of the session, the Crown Prince, on behalf of King Salman, thanked the leaders of various countries for their greetings on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr, as well as for their condemnation of the terrorist incidents that happened in Madinah, Jeddah and Qatif, Al-Turaifi said. The Crown Prince emphasized that the Kingdom enjoys the highest degree of security, thanks to the keenness of the King as well as to the security men with whom the entire people of the Kingdom is proud of for their determination to purify the country from whoever dares to tamper with its gains, and sanctities as well as the safety of its citizens and expatriates alike. The Cabinet authorized the Crown Prince or his deputy to discuss and sign draft security cooperation deal, and agreement to extradite wanted criminals with the government of Bangladesh. The Council endorsed Deputy Crown Prince or his deputy to discuss and sign a memorandum of cooperation between the defense ministries of Saudi Arabia and Japan in the defense field. It also approved the application of the GCC Supreme Council Resolution issued during the 36th session of the Council that set for the adoption of uniform rules for acquisitions in the GCC financial markets.
