Riyadh, Washington hold energy talks

US Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz and his accompanying delegation met with high-level Saudi officials on Sunday.
He discussed long-term US energy interests in a series of meetings with Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Naimi, minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, and Assistant Petroleum Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman.
Moniz, who spent time working in Saudi Arabia before becoming secretary, assured his Saudi counterparts of American’s long-standing and enduring interests in maintaining strong ties with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region.
“The United States and Saudi Arabia are strong partners in energy cooperation. I see our relationship only getting stronger in the years ahead, not only on conventional market issues, but also on energy efficiency, nuclear and renewable energy, and science and technology research, where Saudi Arabia has made great strides in recent years,” Secretary Moniz said.
Secretary Moniz and his delegation discussed long-standing key global financial issues, including energy efficiency and energy markets, with Finance Minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf.
Secretary Moniz also met with King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE) President Hashim Yamani and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) President Mohammed Al-Suwaiyel to discuss science and technology developments, including the many areas where the US and Saudi Arabia can collaborate, including energy efficiency, nuclear and renewable energy technologies, and the energy-water nexus.