WASHINGTON: US Ambassador to the Kingdom Joseph W. Westphal considers the current visit of Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman an important opportunity to continue the constructive talks between the two countries on issues of common interest, including the fight against terrorism, economic cooperation and regional security.
In a statement to Saudi Press Agency, he said: ''Relations between the Kingdom and the United States, which extend for more than 80 years, stress the importance of continuing to work together to address various bilateral and regional issues, along with working to strengthen cooperation in the fields of defense, counterterrorism, trade, education, science, technology, agriculture and many other areas."
Westphal said the US valued its partnership with the Kingdom and looked forward to being briefed on more details pertaining to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 during the deputy crown prince's visit.
Hani Khalaf, former assistant foreign minister for Arab affairs, said the timing of the visit is critical as the world is witnessing many important changes economically, politically and security-wise. He said bilateral meetings with senior American government officials, and heads of intellectual institutions and private sector organizations will present a chance to put all ideas for Saudi-American cooperation on the table.
He said bilateral talks are expected to mostly cover political developments in the region, especially in light of Saudi Arabia’s desire to address the US position on the Syrian crisis, and find solutions to the Yemeni, Libyan and Iraqi crises as well. Talks will also present an opportunity to express Saudi Arabia’s viewpoint on the issue of counterterrorism, as well as the Palestinian issue in light of recent changes of the Paris Peace Initiative.
Abdel Raouf Al-Reedi, chairman of the Egyptian Council of Foreign Affairs and former Egyptian ambassador to Washington, said Prince Mohammed’s visit will also likely focus on the importance of the development and modernization of Saudi armed forces capabilities.
He expected the talks to address the need for greater cooperation in the field of intelligence, pointing to the large capacity and merit of the Kingdom as evidenced by its cooperation in this field and crackdown on Al-Qaeda.
Rashed Abdo, head of the Egyptian Forum for Economic Studies, and Abu Bakr El-Deeb, an expert in economic affairs, both believe the visit will also have many significant economic dimensions, particularly in the wake of the announcement of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and ambitious economic and National Transformation Program.
The talks will likely explore investment in new areas and means of enhancing collaboration between the United States and Saudi Arabia, they said.
In a statement to Saudi Press Agency, he said: ''Relations between the Kingdom and the United States, which extend for more than 80 years, stress the importance of continuing to work together to address various bilateral and regional issues, along with working to strengthen cooperation in the fields of defense, counterterrorism, trade, education, science, technology, agriculture and many other areas."
Westphal said the US valued its partnership with the Kingdom and looked forward to being briefed on more details pertaining to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 during the deputy crown prince's visit.
Hani Khalaf, former assistant foreign minister for Arab affairs, said the timing of the visit is critical as the world is witnessing many important changes economically, politically and security-wise. He said bilateral meetings with senior American government officials, and heads of intellectual institutions and private sector organizations will present a chance to put all ideas for Saudi-American cooperation on the table.
He said bilateral talks are expected to mostly cover political developments in the region, especially in light of Saudi Arabia’s desire to address the US position on the Syrian crisis, and find solutions to the Yemeni, Libyan and Iraqi crises as well. Talks will also present an opportunity to express Saudi Arabia’s viewpoint on the issue of counterterrorism, as well as the Palestinian issue in light of recent changes of the Paris Peace Initiative.
Abdel Raouf Al-Reedi, chairman of the Egyptian Council of Foreign Affairs and former Egyptian ambassador to Washington, said Prince Mohammed’s visit will also likely focus on the importance of the development and modernization of Saudi armed forces capabilities.
He expected the talks to address the need for greater cooperation in the field of intelligence, pointing to the large capacity and merit of the Kingdom as evidenced by its cooperation in this field and crackdown on Al-Qaeda.
Rashed Abdo, head of the Egyptian Forum for Economic Studies, and Abu Bakr El-Deeb, an expert in economic affairs, both believe the visit will also have many significant economic dimensions, particularly in the wake of the announcement of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and ambitious economic and National Transformation Program.
The talks will likely explore investment in new areas and means of enhancing collaboration between the United States and Saudi Arabia, they said.
