JEDDAH — The High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Miguel Angel Moratinos has said Saudi Arabia has always had a leading role in terms of promoting dialogue between different faiths and religions.

“That is the main objective of the United Nations and also civilization. So for achieving my goal, my mandate at the United Nations, Saudi Arabia is a key country in the Arab world, the Islamic community and the international community to engage and work together,” Moratinos told Al-Arabiya.

Moratinos met with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman on Tuesday.

During the meeting, Moratinos reviewed with King Salman the opportunities for partnership between Saudi Arabia and the UNAOC Forum on building up cultural and civilizational bridges between the Kingdom and various world cultures.

Moratinos also met with Saudi Foreign Minister Dr. Ibrahim Al-Assaf and the founding Secretary-General of the Vienna-based King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) Faisal Bin Abdul Rahman Bin Muammar during his visit to the Kingdom.

Moratinos also spoke against a vote by Austria’s parliament to shut down KAICIID and revoke an agreement that bases it in Vienna.

According to Reuters, the Vatican is a founding observer of KAICIID and has representation on its board, which by an existing treaty must include three Christians, three Muslims, a Jew, a Hindu, and a Buddhist.

“With all my respect to democratic institutions in Vienna, I have to say that kindly and highly KAICIID is not the target. KAICIID can be the solution,” Moratinos said.

He added that he sees KAICIID overcoming “this crisis and we will continue, and I can assure you, that United Nations Alliance of Civilizations is going to have as a partner.” — Al-Arabiya English