British Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Sherard Cowper Coles has confirmed the depth and firmness of relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Britain, describing these relations as historic and developing.
He said Saudi Arabia is a great ally of Britain and of a considerable political, economic and religious influence in the Middle East region.
He added that Saudi Arabia has not provided the world with oil only, but also submitted numerous practical and effective solutions for a number of problems in the region and the world at large, citing Crown Prince Abdullah's initiative for achieving peace in the Middle East.
In a press briefing with Arab media representatives at the headquarters of the British Foreign Office on the sidelines of the current visit by Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and his accompanying delegation to Britain, Coles said London meeting between Saudi and British officials represents a joint initiative between the two friendly countries to exchange experience, deepen understanding and discuss a number of issues of mutual concern.
He praised the role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in fighting terrorism, saying that the Kingdom has made great strides in this direction and has been able to eliminate a number of dangerous terrorist elements, noting that terrorism is an international serious problem.
The ambassador said there are numerous joint economic interests shared between the two kingdoms, noting that Saudi Arabia is Britain's biggest trade partner outside the countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation Development. He noted that British investments in Saudi Arabia amounted to around $3.5 billion. He said there are 150 joint ventures between Saudi and British companies stationed in Saudi Arabia.
He said Saudi British relations were not confined to the two governments but also have deep roots among people, noting that the number of entry visas issued by the British embassy in Riyadh for Saudi nationals increased by 30 percent last year.
He praised Saudi Arabia's interest in reform process, noting that reform stems from the interests and future of the Saudi people on one hand and the design of the steps of the economic, political and social progress for the future of the country on the other. He added that the Saudi people are interested in reforms according to their traditions, habits, culture, religious beliefs and not in a way imposed from outside.
He said there is complete agreement between Saudi Arabia and Britain on a number of regional and international issues, led by the Palestinian issue and the achievement of stability, development and progress in Iraq. He praised the role of Saudi Arabia in achieving stability of oil supplies and prices, noting the positive effect of that role on the world economic growth and stability
