JEDDAH: The Council of Ministers yesterday approved the national strategy to combat drugs and narcotics. It also decided to establish diplomatic relations with Ecuador and the princely state of Andorra and ordered assistance to Saudis affected by recent flooding.

“The anti-drug strategy aims at improving rehabilitation programs for drug addicts and developing regional and international cooperation to fight drugs,” said Yousuf Al-Othaimeen, minister of social affairs and acting minister of culture and information, after a weekly Cabinet session in Riyadh.

He said the Cabinet has authorized Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal to sign protocols for the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Ecuador in South America and Andorra, a small landlocked country in western Europe. Saudi Arabia will appoint nonresident ambassadors for the two states.

The meeting chaired by Crown Prince Sultan instructed all ministries and government departments to meet the needs of citizens and residents affected by recent rains and flooding across the country.

The Cabinet endorsed an agreement signed with France for cooperation in petroleum, gas and minerals sectors. It also agreed to extend another agreement with France on the avoidance of double taxation for five years from Jan. 1, 2009.

The Cabinet authorized the governor of Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority to sign an agreement with Finland on promotion and protection of investment. It also fixed the charges to be paid for the various services rendered by the General Commission for Tourism and Antiquities.

Earlier addressing the ministers, Prince Sultan said the recent visit of Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and his meeting with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah reflected the two countries’ desire to strengthen their relations. The Cabinet noted King Abdullah’s efforts to fight poverty at national and international levels.