Crown Prince and Keir Starmer: Strengthening the Saudi-British partnership

In a telephone call today, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, discussed with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer ways to strengthen and develop bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. The call provided an opportunity to review existing areas of cooperation and mechanisms for expanding them, as well as to exchange views on a number of issues of common interest on the regional and international levels.

Historical background of Saudi-British relations

Relations between Riyadh and London span more than a century, making it one of the Kingdom's oldest and deepest strategic partnerships with Western powers. This relationship is founded on solid principles of political, economic, and security cooperation. Historically, Britain has been a key partner in various stages of the development of the modern Saudi state, and this cooperation has continued to expand into new dimensions in the 21st century, encompassing diverse fields such as education, culture, and technology, reflecting the depth of the ties that bind the two friendly nations.

Strategic importance and impacts of cooperation

This connection is particularly important given the transformations the world is witnessing. Domestically, strengthening cooperation with Britain aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy, attract foreign investment, and transfer knowledge in vital sectors such as renewable energy, financial services, and artificial intelligence. Britain is considered a strategic partner in achieving these goals thanks to its extensive experience and advanced technological capabilities.

Regionally and internationally, both countries play pivotal roles in maintaining security and stability. The talks were expected to have addressed joint efforts to confront challenges in the Middle East, including the need to reach political solutions to existing crises, secure international shipping lanes, and combat extremism. The ongoing coordination between the two leaderships underscores their commitment to aligning their visions for addressing global challenges, further solidifying their positions as influential players on the international stage.