President Abdullah Al-Asheikh.

On behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, will address the nation on Tuesday at the Shoura Council, the supreme consultative body, according to its President Abdullah Al-Asheikh.

Prince Salman will be delivering the king’s annual speech that will feature the agenda of the third year of the council’s sixth session which deals with the domestic and foreign policy of the state in accordance with the provisions of Article XIV of the Shoura law.

Citing the major achievements of the Shoura Council, the president mentioned the king’s historic decision to appoint 30 women members to the Shoura Council.

He said the council reaps year after year the fruits of this landmark decision as the women members have demonstrated excellence and competence in their performance and met the high expectations of the leadership.

The president expressed delight at the keen interest shown by the king, the crown prince and the deputy crown prince in the work of the Shoura Council.

He said that the members and citizens are looking forward to the speech which will highlight major issues and developments both inside the Kingdom and abroad.

“We consider the annual royal speech to be a working document which reflects the Kingdom’s position and approach to many of the current issues and objectives which the country aspires to achieve over the next year,” Al-Asheikh said. He added that the speech also guides the work and performance of the regulatory and supervisory bodies pointing out that it will help Shoura members in the implementation of the council’s goals and objectives.

“Our achievements over the past sessions were not possible without the support of the leadership which has contributed to the growth and prosperity of our country,” he said.

“Today, the Shoura Council is a key partner in national decision-making, with reference to the outcomes of the Council of Ministers’ weekly decisions that always come coupled with the Shoura Council resolutions,” Al-Asheikh noted, pointing out that a number of members have been chosen to fill ministerial and top positions in various government agencies.

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