RIYADH: Saudis from all walks of life are hopeful that the visit of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman to the United States this week will strengthen relations between the two countries and ensure a peaceful and stable Middle East.

Shoura Council spokesman Muhammed Al-Muhanna described it as a historic first visit. “The bilateral talks between the two great countries will further cement their existing vibrant relations and lead to a brighter future in two-way relations, and for countries in the Middle East,” he said.

Al-Muhanna said the talks between the two great statesmen are being held at a critical time, now that the United States and others have sealed a deal with Iran. “The visit will surely help us maintain peace and stability in the region,” Al-Muhanna said.

Earlier, the Kingdom expressed its deep concerns about the opening of diplomatic links with Tehran led by the United States, which grants Iran more than $120 billion in multilateral sanctions relief in exchange for giving up its alleged nuclear weapons ambitions.

Shoura Council member Abdullah Al-Askar said that this is going to be the second historic summit between the United States and the Kingdom after the first summit held on Feb. 14, 1945 between the late King Abdulaziz and President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

That meeting held onboard the United States Navy cruiser Quincy in the Suez Canal was the first face-to-face contact between top American and Saudi leaders and served as the foundation for the longstanding relationship between Washington and Riyadh.

“The Saudi-United States talks are being held at a crucial time when the Middle East is facing problems in countries such as Yemen, Syria and Iran,” Al-Askar said, stressing that he hoped concrete decisions would be taken to maintain peace, security and stability in the region.

Musad Al-Zayani, a senior Saudi journalist based in Dubai, said the two countries enjoy a longstanding relationship. “This visit will not only further build relations but also identify new areas of cooperation in a wide range of fields including on the political, economic and social fronts,” Al-Zayani said.

Al-Zayani said that with oil prices falling, the meeting would help to resolve issues related to the global oil market. He also pointed out that the United States-Saudi Investment Forum, which took place in Washington on Friday, would enhance trade cooperation and promote investment flows.

Faisal Al-Zahrani, who was recently appointed as the spokesman of the Ministry of Health, described it as a timely visit which needs mutual and frank discussions to take bilateral relations to new heights.

“This is an era of resolve. We look forward eagerly to the two countries finding amicable solutions to some pressing problems in the region,” Al-Zahrani added.

Osama Kurdi, former head of the Saudi-United States parliamentary friendship committee of the Shoura Council, said the visit was important politically but also because of the economic cooperation between the two countries.

He said the United States-Saudi Investment Forum held in conjunction with the king’s visit would attract more American investments into the Kingdom. The United States remains the Kingdom’s largest trading partner.