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- Both sides discussed the efforts made to strengthen the security and stability in the region
- Raab also met with Saudi foreign minister and other senior government officials during his visit
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held talks with British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab in Neom, Saudi Press Agency reported.
During the meeting, they discussed developments in the Middle East and reviewed bilateral relations and aspects of joint cooperation in various fields.
Both sides also discussed efforts made to strengthen the security and stability in the region, state news agency SPA said.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Minister of Trade Majid Al-Qasabi also attended the meeting.
Following the meeting, Raab said the “UK warmly welcomes the Kingdom’s commitment to increasing the use of renewable energy by 50 percent by 2030.”
In March, Prince Mohammed announced the Saudi and Middle East Green initiatives that aim to apply a number of ambitious programs that will reduce carbon emissions by 60 percent in the region and plant 50 billion trees in the world’s biggest afforestation project.
“Raab set out the UK’s ambition for a closer partnership with Saudi Arabia based on a commitment to trade and regional security, ” the foreign office said in a statement, adding that talks also “focussed on the UK’s ambition in tackling global issues, including climate change, in the lead up to the COP26 climate conference.”
Britain is set to hold the 26th UN Climate Change Conference in November and has been holding talks with several countries, including the Kingdom, as it seeks to boost cooperation on environmental issues ahead of the summit.
“Saudi Arabia is a long-standing partner and close friend of the UK, playing a pivotal role in regional stability,” Raab said. “The UK reaffirms our commitment to tackling our shared security challenges, including Iranian threats and the continued conflict in Yemen.”
He also said they discussed opportunities to strengthen their economies following the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, and “ensuring girls across the world have access to 12 years of quality education.”
Raab also met with Prince Faisal and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir, where, they reviewed relations and the strategic partnership between Saudia Arabia and the UK, as well as regional and international developments of common interest , the Kingdom’s foreign ministry said.
During his visit, Raab also held talks with Minister of State, Cabinet Member and National Security Adviser Dr. Musaed Al-Aiban on the progress of the work of the joint committees of the Saudi-British Strategic Partnership Council and ways to enhance them in the fields of defense, security and political cooperation.