King Salman receives message from Kuwait crown prince

King Salman receives message from Kuwait crown prince
The Kingdom’s Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji receives the letter from Kuwait’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Ali Al-Khaled Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Updated 15 January 2023

King Salman receives message from Kuwait crown prince

King Salman receives message from Kuwait crown prince
  • The message, concerning strong bilateral relations and ways to support and enhance them in various fields, was received by the Kingdom’s deputy foreign minister

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman received a written message from Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Sunday.

The message, concerning strong bilateral relations and ways to support and enhance them in various fields, was received by the Kingdom’s Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji in Riyadh during a meeting with the Kuwaiti ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

During the meeting, Al-Khuraiji and Sheikh Ali Al-Khaled Al-Jaber Al-Sabah discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance them in various fields, and exchanged views on issues of common concern.


Saudi FM and Blinken discuss strategic bilateral partnership during Riyadh visit

Saudi FM and Blinken discuss strategic bilateral partnership during Riyadh visit
Updated 16 sec ago

Saudi FM and Blinken discuss strategic bilateral partnership during Riyadh visit

Saudi FM and Blinken discuss strategic bilateral partnership during Riyadh visit

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on the sidelines of the Gulf Cooperation Council states’ ministerial meeting in Riyadh, the Kingdom’s foreign ministry announced on Wednesday.
During the meeting, they reviewed aspects of the strategic Saudi-US partnership, and ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields, in addition to discussing regional and international developments.
The two sides also discussed the most prominent issues raised in the US-Gulf meeting, and ways to strengthen US-Gulf relations in various fields.
The meeting was attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Rima bint Bandar, Saudi ambassador to the US.


13th Saudi relief plane lands in Sudan

13th Saudi relief plane lands in Sudan
Updated 28 min 20 sec ago

13th Saudi relief plane lands in Sudan

13th Saudi relief plane lands in Sudan
  • Plane was carrying 30 tons of food baskets and medical supplies

RIYADH: A 13th Saudi relief plane on Wednesday landed at Port Sudan New International Airport carrying 30 tons of food baskets and medical supplies, Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The latest aid flight is part of the Kingdom’s air bridge initiative, operated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, to help the people of Sudan.
 


Saudi authorities foil drug-smuggling attempts

Saudi authorities foil drug-smuggling attempts
Updated 28 min 34 sec ago

Saudi authorities foil drug-smuggling attempts

Saudi authorities foil drug-smuggling attempts
  • A number of people were arrested in connection with the smuggling bids

RIYADH: Saudi border patrols in the Najran, Jazan, and Asir regions have thwarted attempts to smuggle 62.5 tons of qat, 1.842 tons of hashish, and 692,106 tablets of a controlled drug into the Kingdom.

Col. Misfer Al-Quraini, spokesperson for the General Directorate of Border Guard, said a number of people had been arrested in connection with the smuggling bids and their cases referred to the Public Prosecution, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
Earlier on Wednesday, authorities arrested three nationals in two separate attempts to smuggle and sell illegal drugs in the Kingdom.


Saudi envoy to Bangladesh visits Makkah Route airport hall in Dhaka

Saudi envoy to Bangladesh visits Makkah Route airport hall in Dhaka
Updated 07 June 2023

Saudi envoy to Bangladesh visits Makkah Route airport hall in Dhaka

Saudi envoy to Bangladesh visits Makkah Route airport hall in Dhaka
  • Al-Dahilan was briefed on the airport hall, procedures in Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia to facilitate the pilgrimage

RIYADH: Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Issa bin Youssef Al-Dahilan recently visited a hall dedicated to the Kingdom’s Makkah Route initiative at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The scheme allows pilgrims to pass seamlessly through immigration facilities at airports in their respective countries.

Al-Dahilan was briefed on the progress of work at the airport hall as well procedures implemented in Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia to facilitate the pilgrimage.

The envoy said the initiative, launched by the Interior Ministry, was aimed at streamlining the whole pilgrim travel experience, enabling Hajj visitors from seven countries to complete immigration, cargo, and travel procedures prior to departing for the Kingdom.

Al-Dahilan lauded Bangladesh, Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Turkiye, and the Ivory Coast for their participation in the initiative.


UK announces new £10 visa for GCC and Jordanian nationals

UK announces new £10 visa for GCC and Jordanian nationals
Updated 07 June 2023

UK announces new £10 visa for GCC and Jordanian nationals

UK announces new £10 visa for GCC and Jordanian nationals
  • “In February 2024, we will go one step further and introduce a new ETA scheme,” the ambassador said
  • This ETA will allow visa holders to enter the UK multiple times over a two-year period and aims to make “travel to Britain cheaper and easier for visitors from the Gulf and Jordan,”

RIYADH: The UK has announced a new Electronic Travel Authorization scheme that will cost £10 ($12.44) for nationals of Jordan and Gulf Cooperation Council states.
“In June 2022, the UK introduced an Electronic Visa Waiver scheme, which allowed any Saudi citizen to apply for authorization to travel to Britain online,” British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Neil Crompton told Arab News.
“This reflected the desire of both governments to strengthen people-to-people links between the two countries,” he added.
Also in June of 2022, the UK announced that under its new ETA scheme, rolling out in 2023, nationals from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE will join Americans and Canadians in benefiting from visa-free travel through an electronic visa waiver.
“In February 2024, we will go one step further and introduce a new ETA scheme,” the ambassador said.
“Under this, applicants will be able to apply for a visa online that covers multiple visits over a two-year period. The cost will be just £10 per applicant. This will make it much easier and cheaper to travel.”
This ETA will allow visa holders to enter the UK multiple times over a two-year period and aims to make “travel to Britain cheaper and easier for visitors from the Gulf and Jordan,” as stated on gov.uk.
Previously under the EVW scheme, Gulf nationals had to pay £30 per visit to the UK and Jordanian nationals £100 for a visit visa.
The newly announced ETA aims to strengthen relations between the countries and contribute to Britain’s economy.
The scheme will be implemented for Qatari nationals later this year in October 2023 and for the rest of the GCC and Jordan in February 2024.
According to gov.uk, Gulf visitors are highly valuable to the UK economy, with over 790,000 of them spending £2 billion during their stays in the UK last year.
The process to apply is all-digital and requires applicants to upload a photograph of themselves and answer a set of suitability questions.
Earlier in 2023, the UK government announced plans to introduce a new ETA scheme as part of a digitization initiative for the UK border to further enhance security and customer experience.
In a statement, the UK Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia Lord Tariq Ahmad said: “I’m delighted that our partners across the Gulf and Jordan will be the first to benefit from the UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorization scheme. This scheme is further proof of the strong partnership between the UK and countries across the region.
“By cutting costs and visa requirements, the ETA scheme will ensure visitors from the Gulf states and Jordan can enjoy traveling with ease to the UK, boosting business and tourism links between our countries,” he added.