The delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia headed by Minister of Internal Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Abdul-Aziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz which paid an official visit to our country at the invitation of Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Colonel General Ramil Usubov.
Having received the delegation on the 4th November, Minister of Internal Affairs Ramil Usubov welcomed the guests and expressed gratitude to Abdul-Aziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz for acceptance of the invitation. Mr. Usubov also emphasized the extending cooperation between our countries in all spheres over recent years.

Having touched upon the centuries-long historical, cultural and religious relations between our peoples, Minister Ramil Usubov noted with satisfaction that these relations established by Great Leader Heydar Aliyev and mentioned with satisfaction the official visit of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to Saudi Arabia in 2005 and signing of international legal instruments in various spheres.
The Minister noted that the bilateral relations are developing dynamically owing to the political will of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and King of Saudi Arabia, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Arabia is fully supportive of Azerbaijan on the international stage, and expressed confidence that this visit, especially the reception of Mr. Abdul-Aziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz by the Head of our state would give a new impetus to further strengthening of the cooperation between the Ministries of Internal Affairs.

Minister Ramil Usubov shared information on the challenges our republic had faced with in the first years of independence, reforms carried out in all spheres of the public life including the internal affairs authorities upon the return of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev to power at the request of the people, and success achieved in crime prevention and public order maintenance. It was noted that the criminal situation was brought fully under control, restoration of stability provided favorable conditions for implementation of a number of global infrastructure projects in Azerbaijan, intensive foreign investments to the economy, safe living and working conditions for people, Saudi tourist flow to our republic increasing from year to year.

Further, the Minister also emphasized the necessity to strengthen jointly efforts in combating transnational organized crime which appeared against the background of processes currently occurring in the region and importance of extension of cooperation and exchange of information to ensure effective fighting against such crimes, especially illegal drug trafficking, trafficking in human beings and international terrorism. Mr. Usubov highlighted the need of strengthening relations between the Ministries of Internal Affairs and creation of a perfect regulatory and legal framework in this area.
The Minister evaluated the Protocol on Cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia in Fighting against Crime signed on the 19th February this year based on the invitation of his Saudi colleague as an important step in that direction, and emphasized that mutual fruitful relations serve the interests of both countries and peoples.

Having expressed his gratitude to Minister R.Usubov for the invitation and hospitality, Abdul-Aziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz noted that this visit would serve further strengthening of relations established on a firm basis.
Having expressed his satisfaction with the first official visit to our republic, its dynamic development and grand-scale construction projects, Abdul-Aziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz noted that friendly and fraternal relations based on the strong foundation between Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia which are located in a sensitive region, maintenance of stability and peace in both countries have a positive effect on overall security in the region, and mentioned that the Kingdom was always interested in cooperation of law enforcement agencies of the two states.

The parties also shared their opinions on the current status of relations in the sphere of security and their priority areas and discussed a number of other matters of concernduring the meeting held in a sincere and businesslike manner.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of our country to Saudi Arabia Shahin Abdullayev took part in the reception and meetings.