WASHINGTON: US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Joseph W. Westphal hailed Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s visit to the US as a fresh push to bilateral and trade relations, which “augurs well for the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan.”
In an exclusive interview with our sister publication Asharq Al-Awsat, Westphal pointed out that the strength of Saudi-American relationship runs deep and steady despite some differences on the perspective about the Middle East affairs and Iran. However, he added that this does not mean that the relationship between the two countries is tense.
Westphal said the deputy crown prince’s visit was essential, especially concerning the economic area. His visit to the US Chamber of Commerce and meeting with corporate leaders in Washington, New York and California were extremely significant as to promote the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan, he said.
“The royal visit to the US would evidently attract American investment to the Kingdom. Exchange of information between the deputy crown prince and corporate leaders will definitely play a great role in Vision 2030,” he asserted.
The US ambassador stressed the importance of Saudi-US cooperation in different fields, mainly in security and military areas with regard to fight against terrorism. He also stressed the Kingdom’s role in fighting Daesh, pointing out that the recent terror attack against a Florida nightclub confirms that the newfangled form of terrorism poses a modern day threat and confirms the necessity of international cooperation to fight all forms of terrorism and extremism, violence whether through military efforts or ideology.
Following are some of the main questions Westphal answered.
This is the third visit of Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the US. His previous visit was with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif just before the 2015 Camp David Summit, then the second visit was in September last when he accompanied Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques King Salman. How important is this visit specifically?
I believe this visit holds a particular significance and differs from others. It is Prince Mohammed’s first official visit as deputy crown prince. It is important in two ways: First, the visit demonstrates the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 which the deputy crown prince launched in April. It exhibits the Saudi roadmap for transformation, oil independence and diversification of the economy and thus referring to the US business community to establish a partnership and a better cooperation, attracting US investment to the Kingdom. Second, this visit encompasses the discussion of issues like Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Iran and Libya with US administration officials.
President Barack Obama will be receiving Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday. A number of analysts point to the importance of this meeting, which will reportedly dwell on the controversy surrounding the US approach on Iran. What is your comment on this?
Many things were said about the US-Saudi strain, yet I do not see into that tension. President Barack Obama’s meeting with King Salman in Riyadh was very important. Of course, there are some differences concerning Iran and resolving the situation in Syria, as well as humanitarian rights. However, that does not mean that there aren’t ongoing positive and fruitful discussions to resolve the crises and accomplish stability. The leaders’ meeting confirms all of that.
President Obama’s meeting with the deputy crown prince is proof of the persisting communication between the two countries. How are strategic and security Saudi-US ties going on one hand and the Gulf-US on the other?
Truly, there are strong historical, security and strategic relationships which connect the US, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Council Cooperation. This is why Prince Mohammed’s meeting with Defense Secretary Ashton Carter is considered vital. Taking into consideration that this is a chance to discuss security and military cooperation, on the one hand, and the US-Gulf cooperation on the other.
It is also a chance to discuss how to carry forward with the deliberations and agreements struck at the GCC Summit in April and following through with the results and agreements achieved at Camp David in May 2015, the military cooperation across many regions like the ballistic missile system, cyber security, the deepening of partnership and cooperation to face external threats and accomplish stability.
‘Royal visit a shot in arm for bilateral ties’
‘Royal visit a shot in arm for bilateral ties’
