Almotamar.net, Saba - Meetings of the 19th round of the Yemeni-Saudi Coordination Council started Saturday evening in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, co-chaired by Prime Minister Ali Mujawar and Saudi Crown Prince, Deputy Premier, Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud.

In the opening session, Prime Minister Mujawar expressed thanks for Saudis for hosting this round in Riyadh, conveying greetings of President Ali Abdullah Saleh to Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud and the Saudi government and people for supporting Yemen stability and development process.

He talked about development challenges Yemen faced during the last five decades which got aggravated in the last two years due to internal and foreign changes affecting the Yemeni government efforts in economic and social development and poverty alleviation, topped by Al Qaeda as well as al-Houthis in Saada.

He added that "the international food crisis and the international financial crisis also contributed to the decrease of oil prices in the international market and lessened the public financial revenues of Yemen," noting that "in spite of all these factors, Yemen firmly faced these challenges, specially the security challenges which occupied an importance priority in the government agenda." Mujawar appreciated, at the same time, stance of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by Yemen in ending the Houthi rebellion in Saada.

The Prime Minister affirmed the importance of raising the level of cooperation and coordination to confront various security and strategic challenges facing any of Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

"We are expecting a greater role by the GCC countries within Yemen Friends Group to support development, progress and stability in Yemen during the upcoming years," Mujawar said.

We are confident that progress and welfare can not be realized but under peace, stability and security and that Yemen's security is part and parcel of the Kingdom security and vice-versa, he said, emphasizing the importance of security cooperation and coordination between the two countries to encounter all kinds of violence, extremism and terrorism to be able to achieve development, progress and welfare.

Mujawar also dealt with the regional and international development and Yemen's position in this regard, affirming the importance to continue pushing peace process in the region.

He renewed the call for Palestinians to bridge the gap and to stand all in one line in the face of challenges hindering the establishment of the independent Palestinian state with Quds the capital.

Premier also affirmed support of Yemen for each of Somalia and Sudan to achieve stability and security.

For his part, head of the Saudi side, Prince Sultan, welcomed the Yemeni side, convey greetings and wishes of King Abdullah for the round to come out with successful outputs.

In his speech, Prince Sultan expressed satisfaction for achievement of the Yemen – Saudi Coordination Council for over 35 years.

We trust that security bodies in both countries will continue to work to achieve our common goals, coming on top achieving the comprehensive security for Saudi Arabia and Yemen, he said.

Prince Sultan indicated that "the agreements to be signed in this round will cover fields of development, health, education, tourism and social security with the aim to realize a comprehensive development.''

He noted that meeting of the donor countries, held today in Riyadh, come to affirms concern of the Kingdom to continue this development process in Yemen and to gather the international support for it.

He concluded his speech by highlighting the private sector role in both countries, thanking the Council committees for the positive preparations and follow-up.