State Secretary for Environmental Affairs Zoltán Illés and Saudi Arabia's Minister for Water and Electricity Abdullah Al Hussayen held talks at the Ministry of Rural Development today on various water management topics: the construction of waterworks', the utilization of artesian water and sewage management. The parties agreed on an exchange of water management experts.

"The Ministry of Rural Development is prepared to welcome water management experts from Saudi Arabia, and to send Hungarian colleagues there", announced Zoltán Illés. At the press conference following the meeting, the State Secretary for Environmental Affairs spoke of the fact that discussions were mainly centred on the utilization of underground, artesian water resources, and that the possibility of co-operation in the construction of sewage treatments plants and waterworks was also mentioned.

Zoltén Illés reminded those present that Saudi Arabia has great experience in the utilization of deep, underground water reserves, producing 2 billion cubic metres of water each year with the help of this and the desalination of seawater.

"A favourable and expedient agreement has been reached", announced the Saudi Arabian Minister for Water and Electricity. Abdullah Al Hussayen stressed that "Hungary has world class experience in the field of water management.", adding that "Opportunities for further co-operation between the two countries is well signified by the fact that two Saudi Ministers are holding talks in Hungary simultaneously".

Abdullah Al Hussayen expressed his hope that Saudi and Hungarian experts will be able to co-operate in as broad a scope as possible. Joint professional work may centre mainly on the exploration and utilization of underground water reserves.

(Press Office of the Ministry of Rural Development)