WASHINGTON: Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir has described the visit of Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington as fruitful and positive.
Responding to questions from journalists after the deputy crown prince was hosted by US President Barack Obama at the Oval Office on Friday, the foreign minister said the meeting was constructive and aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.
“Bilateral talks have covered regional issues and several other files,” he was quoted as saying by local media on Saturday.
Al-Jubeir stressed that the Kingdom’s position on Syria coincided with that of Washington, indicating that the two countries agree on a political solution to the crisis in that country and the need to remove Bashar Assad.
Saudi Arabia is seeking to preserve Syrian territorial integrity and protect state institutions, for which it has repeatedly called for military intervention, he said. “The crisis will end, provided Bashar Assad relinquishes power, either through political process or by force,” he asserted.
On Yemen, Al-Jubeir said the coalition led by Saudi Arabia is making every effort to reduce losses, reaffirming that the UAE is a key state in the alliance for the restoration of legitimacy in Yemen.
“We want a political solution in Yemen that would lead to the launch of a transitional phase, followed by the reconstruction phase,” he said.
Al-Jubeir accused Iran of trying to destabilize the region, saying: “Iran is interfering in the internal affairs of neighboring countries and is exporting terrorism. There is no change in the position of Riyadh toward Tehran.”
Iran is a “country seeking to export its revolution, supporting terrorism and trying to destabilize security and stability, in the region,” he said.
“Tehran ignites sectarian strife in the region and pursues aggressive behavior,” he said, urging it to respect the principles of good neighborliness and non-interference in the affairs of other countries.
Al-Jubeir said the delegation accompanying the deputy crown prince held several meetings in Washington with businessmen, representatives of American companies, members of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a group of ministers, in addition to Saudis studying in the US.
The meetings with US officials were aimed at strengthening strategic relationship between the two countries and explaining Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to the Americans.
“The response from the American side was very positive, and underscored that the relations between the two countries are historical, strategic and mutually beneficial,” he added.
Responding to questions from journalists after the deputy crown prince was hosted by US President Barack Obama at the Oval Office on Friday, the foreign minister said the meeting was constructive and aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.
“Bilateral talks have covered regional issues and several other files,” he was quoted as saying by local media on Saturday.
Al-Jubeir stressed that the Kingdom’s position on Syria coincided with that of Washington, indicating that the two countries agree on a political solution to the crisis in that country and the need to remove Bashar Assad.
Saudi Arabia is seeking to preserve Syrian territorial integrity and protect state institutions, for which it has repeatedly called for military intervention, he said. “The crisis will end, provided Bashar Assad relinquishes power, either through political process or by force,” he asserted.
On Yemen, Al-Jubeir said the coalition led by Saudi Arabia is making every effort to reduce losses, reaffirming that the UAE is a key state in the alliance for the restoration of legitimacy in Yemen.
“We want a political solution in Yemen that would lead to the launch of a transitional phase, followed by the reconstruction phase,” he said.
Al-Jubeir accused Iran of trying to destabilize the region, saying: “Iran is interfering in the internal affairs of neighboring countries and is exporting terrorism. There is no change in the position of Riyadh toward Tehran.”
Iran is a “country seeking to export its revolution, supporting terrorism and trying to destabilize security and stability, in the region,” he said.
“Tehran ignites sectarian strife in the region and pursues aggressive behavior,” he said, urging it to respect the principles of good neighborliness and non-interference in the affairs of other countries.
Al-Jubeir said the delegation accompanying the deputy crown prince held several meetings in Washington with businessmen, representatives of American companies, members of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a group of ministers, in addition to Saudis studying in the US.
The meetings with US officials were aimed at strengthening strategic relationship between the two countries and explaining Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to the Americans.
“The response from the American side was very positive, and underscored that the relations between the two countries are historical, strategic and mutually beneficial,” he added.
