JEDDAH: A senior Foreign Ministry official said on Saturday that he expected the government to introduce more political, social and economic reforms shortly realizing the hopes and aspirations of its people. However, he said the Saudi leadership wanted to carry out such reforms gradually without affecting the country’s stability.
“We believe in evolution, not in revolution. We believe things will change gradually step by step,” said Muhammad bin Ahmed Tayeb, director general of the ministry’s office in Makkah province, referring to anti-government protests in some Arab countries.
Tayeb highlighted the remarkable reforms introduced by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah during the past years. “This shows we are on the right track. What we need is continuation of these reforms. We also need stability to enable the leadership to implement the reforms in accordance with the hopes and aspirations of people,” he pointed out.
Asked about prospects of holding parliamentary and Shoura elections and allowing women to drive, he said: “Nobody has made any statement saying this is not on the table. That means the door is open for these reforms and more. They choose the right time for introducing reforms. Choosing the right time is essential for its success.”
Tayeb commended King Abdullah for issuing a series of royal decrees recently, unveiling new welfare programs for his citizens. He said some of the new programs were aimed at the welfare of youth, who constitute about 60 percent of the Kingdom’s population.
“Youth are the pillars and future of our country. If they are in a better position our future will be brighter,” he said.
He said the decrees came when the surrounding countries were facing turmoil. “People thought that same would happen in Saudi Arabia. We don’t say that we are immune. But our leaders are different from others and our situation is totally different from that of others. So what is happening in some Arab countries will not be applicable to us,” he pointed out. “The Saudi leadership listens to its people and meets their requirements.”
Tayeb also spoke about the new diplomatic quarter project to be established south of Jeddah.
“We have identified the location. Now it’s in the planning stage. Areas will be allocated to diplomatic missions according to their needs at reasonable rates.”
The new facility will take up over 8 million square meters.
Tayeb recently visited the Russian republic of Bashkortostan to attend an international conference at the invitation of its President Rustem Khamitov. He highlighted the growing strategic relations between Saudi Arabia and Russia. Soviet Union was the first international power to recognize Saudi Arabia while Karim Hakimov was the first Soviet ambassador to the Kingdom. He was a the consul general in Jeddah from 1923 to 1927 during the Hashimite rule. He later became ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 1935 to 1937.
“Russia is an important country. It’s a permanent member of the UN Security Council. It’s a huge country with a lot of national resources. About 20 percent of the country’s population is Muslim. They are indigenous people, not immigrants. Islam arrived in that part of the world over 1,000 years ago during the time of Abbasid Caliphate,” Tayeb said.
“They are now enjoying religious freedom. It is our duty as Muslims to support them and enhance relations with them,” he said.
A delegation from Bashkortostan, led by its President Khamitov, recently visited the Kingdom to attend the Jeddah Economic Forum and meet with Saudi businessmen. “In fact, they have met with Chairman of the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry Saleh Kamel and other prominent businessmen and reached some agreements. Khatimov has invited Saudi businessmen to Bashkortostan to explore investment and business opportunities in his country.”