The regional center based in Qatar strengthens cooperation and coordination among member states in fighting drug trafficking and organized crime related to it. GCC leaders endorsed the plan to set up the center last December.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, who presided over the Cabinet meeting, briefed the ministers on the outcome of his recent visit to Syria. The two countries expressed their desire to strengthen their political, economic, commercial, media and cultural relations.
Speaking about a number of Arab and international events being held in Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah said: “The Kingdom will exert all possible efforts to boost cultural movement in the Arab world.”
The Cabinet congratulated King Saud University and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals for winning the first and second positions in the Arab world in the Times Higher Education-QS World University Rankings.
The Cabinet expressed its satisfaction over the presence of 90 percent of students when schools reopened last Saturday despite the H1N1 scare. It stressed that primary schools and kindergartens would reopen next Saturday.
Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja said the Cabinet approved the aviation agreement with Oman and authorized the foreign minister to hold talks with his French counterpart to reach an agreement on exempting holders of diplomatic and special passports from entry visas.
The Cabinet also approved the marine transport cooperation accord with Turkey and the memorandum of understanding signed with China on quarantining individuals at entry points for health reasons.
