RIYADH ( WNAM MONITORING ): : Saudi Arabia and the US signed a number of agreements on Tuesday to straighten the strategic ties between the nations as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made a visit to the White House.
US President Donald Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed signed the Strategic Defense Agreement, Saudi Press Agency reported.
During the meeting at the White House, both sides reviewed relations between the Kingdom and the US, and discussed joint efforts to advance their strategic partnerships. They also addressed regional and international developments, ways to strengthen regional and global security and stability, as well as several issues of mutual interest.
Several bilateral agreements and memoranda were also signed:
1. The Strategic Partnership for Artificial Intelligence.
2. The Joint Statement on the Completion of Negotiations Regarding Cooperation in Civil Nuclear Energy.
3. The Strategic Framework for Partnership in Securing Supply Chains for Uranium, Minerals, Permanent Magnets, and Critical Metals.
4. The Agreement to Facilitate Procedures for Accelerating Saudi Investments.
5. The Financial and Economic Partnership Arrangements for Economic Prosperity.
6. The Arrangements Related to Cooperation in the Financial Market Authorities Sector.
7. A Memorandum of Understanding in the Field of Education and Training.
8. The Letters Related to Vehicle Safety Standards.
The meeting was co-chaired by President Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed and was attended by senior Saudi and US officials.
The agreement affirms that Saudi Arabia and the US are capable security partners able to work together to confront regional and international challenges and threats, SPA said.
It deepens long-term defense coordination, enhances deterrence capabilities and readiness, and supports the development and integration of defense capacities between the two countries, SPA added.
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said the strategic agreement “underscores both nations’ firm commitment to deepening their strategic partnership, enhancing regional security, and advancing global peace and stability.”
Saudi ambassador to the US, Princess Reema bint Bandar, said the “agreements will spur investment into both countries, generate job opportunities for Saudis and Americans, and reinforce our shared commitment to regional and global security.”
Earlier in the Oval Office, Trump offered a warm welcome to the crown prince, where the Saudi leader announced that the Kingdom’s US investments would be increased to almost a trillion dollars from a promise of $600 billion announced by Riyadh earlier this year.
“Today is a very important time in our history,” said Prince Mohammed talking about the decades long partnership between the two nations, “there is a lot of things we are working on for the future,” adding that the Kingdom believes in the future of the US.
Prince Mohammed said the agreements were mutually beneficial for both countries.
