JEDDAH, JUNE 20, SPA -- SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTER MIGUEL ANGEL MORATINOS HAS HIGHLIGHTED THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE VISIT OF THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES KING ABDULLAH TO SPAIN, AND SAID THE SAUDI-SPANISH RELATIONS ARE DEEP-ROOTED, STRONG AND DISTINGUISHED. HE NOTED THAT THE TALKS HELD BETWEEN KING ABDULLAH AND THE SPANISH PREMIER WOULD POSITIVELY CONTRIBUTE TO FURTHER ENHANCING BILATERAL RELATIONS IN ALL POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, COMMERCIAL AND CULTURAL DOMAINS. IN A STATEMENT TO JEDDAH-BASED OKAZ NEWSPAPER, THE SPANISH MINISTER REITERATED THE KEENNESS OF HIS COUNTRY ON KEEPING CONTACTS WITH SAUDI ARABIA ON ISSUES THAT CONCERN THE REGION. HE LAUDED THE EFFORTS OF KING ABDULLAH TO SPREAD THE CULTURE OF TOLERANCE AND MODERATION, AND SAID HIS COUNTRY SUPPORTS SUCH A TREND. HE POINTED OUT THAT SAUDI ARABIA AND SPAIN HAD CONFRONTED THE MENACE OF TERRORISM. HE NOTED THAT HE HAD REVIEWED WITH PRINCE SAUD AL-FAISAL, THE FOREIGN MINISTER, ISSUES PERTAINING TO THE REGION. HE UNDERLINED THE IMPORTANCE OF NATIONAL RECONCILIATION IN IRAQ AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PRESERVATION OF ITS INDEPENDENCE, SECURITY AND STABILITY.--MORE Hamas claims responsibility for the deaths of scores of Israelis in suicide attacks. Israel, the European Union and the United States list it as a terrorist group. www.spa.gov.sa/460653