The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus and Saudi Arabia, Nikos Christodoulides and Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, who met on Tuesday in Riyadh, decided the immediate launch of political dialogue between the two countries` Foreign Ministries, by convening the first meeting for political consultations in Riyadh in the immediate future
According to a press release issued by the Foreign Ministry, the two Ministers had the chance during a private meeting and extended talks between the two sides, to look into ways of further enhancing the ties between Cyprus and Saudi Arabia, both through the promotion of a number of interstate agreements that will be signed, and the undertaking of joint targeted actions to enhance cooperation in concrete sectors, as, among others, tourism, trade and entrepreneurship.
In this framework, Christodoulides and Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud decided among others the immediate launch of political dialogue between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries, by convening the first meeting for political consultations in Riyadh in the immediate future, it is noted.
During the meeting, the two sides also exchanged views about the situation in the broader Eastern Mediterranean region, the Middle East and the Gulf, as it has been formed after the recent developments, and the significance which the two countries attribute to efforts for enhancing regional cooperation with no exclusions, on the basis of the international law respect and good neighbourhood relations was highlighted. Moreover, the relations between the EU and Saudi Arabia were discussed and the role which Cyprus plays in reinforcing them was reaffirmed.
Christodoulides also met with the Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Adel al-Jubeir, with whom he discussed regional and international issues of common interest, as well as the two countries` bilateral relations.
The Foreign Minister wrapped up his working visit to Saudi Arabia with a meeting he had with the Secretary General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, Nayef Falah M. Al-Hajraf, during which they exchanged views on the situation in the broader Gulf region after the recent signing of the Al-Ula Agreement, and the prospects for further enhancing of the cooperation of Cyprus with the Council.
The Foreign Minister left Saudi Arabia on Tuesday evening.
