ISLAMABAD, April 14: Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz’s two-day visit from today will give a push to implementation of the five agreements signed between the two countries during King Abdullah’s trip to Pakistan and bolster collaboration in all areas, including defence, Saudi Ambassador Ali Awadh Asseri said on Friday.

He was speaking at a press briefing on the eve of the visit of the crown prince, who is also the deputy premier, minister for defence and aviation and inspector-general of the kingdom.

The ambassador said the fact that the prince was coming to the country within three months of the king’s ‘fruitful’ visit demonstrated the special importance the kingdom attached to its relations with Pakistan. “This historic visit will go a long way in further consolidating this profound, unique and durable relationship,” he stated.

Ambassador Asseri said Crown Prince Sultan during his meetings with President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz would discuss bilateral issues as well as regional and global developments that might have ‘negative implications’ for any of the two countries.

‘New developments’ concerning the Ummah would be on top of the agenda, he said. “Islam has always been the most important factor affecting the determination of priorities of the kingdom’s foreign policy,” he said.

In reply to a question about the Iranian nuclear issue, the ambassador said: “In the regional context, all neighbouring countries, including Iraq and Iran, will be discussed.”

“We are in favour of a nuclear-free Middle East,” he said.

He was confident that the visit would give a ‘good push’ to the bilateral agreements. In response to a question about progress on the agreements signed by the king, he said: “There is always room for improvement.”

Responding to a question, Mr Asseri said no new accords would be signed.

The emphasis would be on promotion of trade and cooperation in education, he said.

When asked about defence cooperation between the two countries, he said: “Indeed (the visit) would promote relations in all walks of life. Our cooperation in the defence field is much better than in any other ministry.”

“The latest figures of foreign investment for July-November 2005 reveal that Saudi Arabia has become the top investing country in Pakistan,” he said, ascribing the surge in investment to the sale of the Karachi Electric Supply Company to Jomiah Holdings of Saudi Arabia.

The ambassador said the $300 million Al Tuwairiqi Steel Mills project inaugurated by President Musharraf would be an economic booster and generate job opportunities for 3,000 Pakistanis.

Mr Asseri said numerous opportunities awaited Pakistani investors in his country. He underscored the need for trade sections in the embassies of the two countries and their chambers of commerce to be more active in this regard.

He said Saudi trade fairs would be held in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi in November.

He indicated that more high-level visits from the kingdom were on the cards.

Referring to cooperation between the two countries in the fight against terrorism, he stated: “We also have to look at other ways of fighting terrorism and need to address its causes.” Establishment of an international centre for terrorism was a step in the direction, he maintained.

Replying to a question, Mr Asseri acknowledged the need for the Organisation for Islamic Conference to be more effective and responsive to the needs and challenges of the Muslim world.