Deputy Speaker of the Shoura Council Dr. Mishal Bin Fahm Al-Salami Wednesday in his office received Hajj Affairs Commissioner at the Russian Federal government and head of the Science, Education and Culture Affairs Committee at the Russian Federal Council Iliyas Umakhanov and the accompanying delegation. Dr. Al-Salami stressed the deep-rooted ties between Saudi Arabia and Russia in light of support and concern they receive from both countries' leaderships, praising the continuous development of cooperation aspects, which enhanced the two countries' close relations in all economic, investment, commercial and cultural fields. He stressed that the government of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince, pays great attention and concern to the Two Holy Mosques and offers all necessary facilities and services to pilgrims and visitors of the Prophet's Holy Mosques. He also expressed appreciation for what both sides enjoy of fruitful relations at the level of parliamentary action between the Shoura Council and the Russian Federation Council and Duma, stressing that the existing parliamentary cooperation has reached advanced levels as a result of keenness and interest of Shoura Council speaker and president of the Federation Council. This is in addition to exchanging visits, parliamentary meetings and continuous coordination in international parliamentary events, highlighting the importance of enhancing cooperation at the level of the two parliamentary friendship committees for their role in further enhancing constructive cooperation in all fields. For his part, Umakhanov praised the efforts of the government of Saudi Arabia in caring for the Two Holy Mosques and the services it offers to their visitors, commending the big efforts exerted to serve the Two Holy Mosques and facilitate Hajj and Umrah rituals. The meeting also discussed several issues of joint interest and included exchanging views regarding means to enhance parliamentary relations between the two sides. The meeting was attended by officials from both countries. — SPA
