I am delighted that Arab News has decided to celebrate the long-standing relationship between the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by publishing this supplement.
Britain regards itself as Saudi Arabia’s most important partner in Europe; and there can be no doubt that Saudi Arabia is Britain’s most important partner in the Middle East. For generations Britons have lived and worked in Saudi Arabia, supporting the vast nexus of ties between the two Kingdoms, and many hundreds of thousands of Saudis have in turn traveled to Britain to live, work and study there.
In these difficult days, such connections, such history between our two Kingdoms are more important than ever. That is why I am proud that, in a year which has seen visits to Saudi Arabia by HRH The Prince of Wales, the Rt. Hon. the Lord Mayor of London and the British Foreign Secretary, Britain has shown once again that she stands by her friends in the hard times as well as the good times.
So, as we look forward to further widening and deepening of the already rich range of links between us, let us celebrate what has been achieved so far, and spare no effort to redouble our efforts for the future.
From Kingdom to Kingdom, from coast to coast, on the occasion of the official birthday of Her Majesty The Queen, let us celebrate our friendship.