JEDDAH, 8 January 2007 — Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit Saudi Arabia next month at the head of a high-level delegation for talks with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, Crown Prince Sultan, senior Cabinet members and top business leaders.
Putin’s visit is significant as it will be the first by a Russian president to the Kingdom after the two countries established diplomatic relations 80 years ago, Al-Riyadh Arabic daily reported yesterday quoting political analysts.
Russia attaches great importance to the visit as it wants to strengthen its relations with Saudi Arabia.
Informed sources said Putin would hold extensive talks with King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan in Riyadh, focusing on major regional and international issues, most importantly the Middle East peace as well as ways of strengthening bilateral cooperation. The two countries are expected to sign a series of agreements during the presidential visit, especially in the oil and gas sector.
