RIYADH, 4 June 2008 — In a major move to boost Saudi-Spanish ties, Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, will begin an official visit to Spain on Thursday. Prince Sultan, during his three-day trip to Madrid, will hold talks with Spanish King Juan Carlos and Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero on a range of bilateral, regional and international issues with special reference to bilateral defense cooperation.
The news of Prince Sultan’s visit was confirmed by Alberto Leyes, an aide at the media center of the Saudi Embassy in Madrid. Leyes said, “Prince Saud ibn Naif will address a press conference in Madrid today to spell out the new vision of Saudi-Spanish relation and to brief newsmen about the visit of the crown prince.” “The royal visit will be a landmark one during which a major defense cooperation agreement will be signed,” added Fernando Bielza, charge d’affaires at the Spanish Embassy in Riyadh. The visit is also significant in view of the recent announcement by Spanish Prime Minister Zapatero that his government is planning new measures to stimulate economic growth. The two countries have already set up a multibillion-riyal investment fund to boost commercial links.
Asked about the official meetings, Bietza said Prince Sultan would also hold talks with Spanish Crown Prince Felipe and senior defense officials to explore ways and means of boosting defense cooperation.
