RIYADH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah on Tuesday held a meeting with British Defense Secretary Bob Ainsworth and discussed the process of peace and stability in Afghanistan. Iran also figured at the talks.
“King Abdullah discussed with the British minister the whole range of bilateral and regional issues with special reference to Iran and Afghanistan,” said British Embassy spokesman Nick Heath.
The talks were attended by Prince Khaled bin Sultan, assistant minister of defense and aviation and British Ambassador to the Kingdom William Patey. During the audience with King Abdullah, Ainsworth conveyed the greetings of Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles and Prime Minister Gordon Brown. King Abdullah reciprocated with similar gestures and sent his greetings to the British leadership. A number of issues of common interest were also discussed during the meeting.
“The discussions mainly focused on Iran and Afghanistan and how Iran can be encouraged to make the choice of dialogue and transparency with countries in the Middle East as well as with Western nations,” said Heath.
He added that the discussions were very positive. The talks focused on “how to encourage Iran to be more open with the region and with the West,” he said. Health said that Ainsworth would be holding official talks with Prince Khaled bin Sultan on Wednesday before leaving for London.
The British minister will also meet Prince Muhammad bin Naif, assistant minister of interior for security affairs, while his meeting with intelligence chief Prince Muqrin is not yet confirmed, said the spokesman of the British Embassy.
The talks with high-ranking Saudi officials are significant keeping in view the fact that Britain is the second largest arms supplier to Saudi Arabia after the United States. The two countries signed a defense agreement in 1985. Britain and the whole of the EU see the Kingdom as a key trade partner, a pillar of regional stability and as a country combating extremism, said another Western diplomat.
Speaking on this occasion, Patey said, “This visit shows yet again the importance that Britain attaches to its relationship with Saudi Arabia.
“I believe that the defense relationship between the two Kingdoms will flourish in future.”
Patey said that Britain and Saudi Arabia have close historical ties. He added that the defense secretary arrived here just a few days before tens of thousands of Britons are scheduled to come to the Kingdom for Haj. “The relationship between our two countries is better today than ever,” he added.
