Al-Jubeir Says No Back Channels With Iran
February 20, 2020, 10:15 am

Al-Jubeir Says No Back Channels With Iran

Saudi Arabia's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir called on Iran to respect international norms, stop financing terrorism and to commit to principles of good neighborliness with the Gulf states.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Riyadh after meeting with Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide, Jubeir stressed there were no back channels between Saudi Arabia and Iran, adding that the Kingdom’s stance on Tehran is clear.

“There is no back channel with Iran because our position with regards to Iran is very clear. I just said it to you publicly. What we want Iran to abide by the rules … we want Iran to respect international law, we want Iran to respect the sovereignty of other countries,” Jubeir was quoted by al-Arabiya Channel.

Meanwhile, Jubeir indicated that his talks with the visiting FM touched on the Yemeni crisis. They discussed bilateral relations and cooperation, ways to provide humanitarian assistance to Yemen, and regional and international issues of common concern.

Jubeir noted that Norway is one of the largest countries supporting Yemen, and stressed the need to support the mission of the UN envoy Martin Griffiths to reach a political settlement and open a humanitarian corridor for aid delivery.

He also highlighted the US peace plan in the Middle East, stressing that Riyadh is committed to supporting the Palestinian decision because Palestinians will determine whether this agreement can be accepted or not.

Jubair said that since the era of King Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia’s position has been to support the Palestinian choice. He added that the Kingdom can provide assistance and advice, but the decision is for the Palestinians and only they can determine whether the offer meets their expectations or not.

He concluded that Saudi Arabia will support Palestine, which is also the position of most Arab and Islamic states.

Turkish soldiers fire a missile at Syrian government position in the province of Idlib on Feb. 14, 2020. (AP) Iran: Parliamentary elections or spark to end of 41 years of tyranny!

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.