UK Consulate marks Queen’s birthday

The British Consulate in Jeddah celebrated Queen Elizabeth’s 87th birthday on Monday together with members of the British community and diplomats.
“With over 4,000 British expatriates living in the Western region, and 100,000 UK pilgrims visiting the Kingdom’s two holy sites each year, the involvement of British companies in major projects of Saudi Arabia, the relationship between the two Kingdoms is moving from strength to strength,” said Mohammed Shoukat, the British consul general.
Newly appointed Ambassador Sir John Jenkins said the two countries share a very important relationship in the Middle East region.
“The recent visit of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, as well as the visits of different ministers in the past, were milestones in strengthening our relationship.
Tonight we are celebrating the partnership between the two Kingdoms, countries with a shared understanding, national identities, and a reassuring continuity in times of change,” he said.
Guest of honor and director general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Makkah Province, Ahmed Al-Tayeb, also praised the relationship and friendship between the two countries. He said the ties between the UK and Riyadh are historical and based on more than friendship. Both countries look for economic growth and aim to give a message of peace to the world.