Al-Jubeir says Trump's visit to Kingdom will build new era in relations between Saudi Arabia, Arab and Islamic World

Riyadh: Saudi Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir affirmed that the visit of US President Donald Trump to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a beginning of building a new era in bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation between the two countries and the Arab and Islamic world.

In a press conference held here Saturday with his US counterpart Rex Tillerson, Al-Jubeir pointed out that the strategic partnership agreements will develop into a strong strategic partnership by intensifying consultation and cooperation whether in the fight against terrorism, defense, technology, education, trade or investment, according to Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

The Saudi Foreign Minister revealed that the most important talks held by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques with President Trump focused on facing the challenges, improving bilateral relations in various fields, pointing out to the danger of terrorism, extremism, financing terrorist organizations and ways to combat them and elimination of Iran's actions, stressing that there are decisions taken to stop Iran's terrorism financing and the cross-border missiles, as well as stop Iranian interference in countries of the region.

Al-Jubeir pointed out that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques expressed the Kingdom's optimism towards setting forth a new approach and show resolve in taking appropriate measurements to end the conflict in Syria and reaching permanent peace between Palestine and Israel, in addition to discussing the situation, in Yemen, and related investments, adding that holding the GCC-US and Arab-Islamic-American summits, are unprecedented and extraordinary, as the two summits kick off various and several partnerships between the Islamic world and the US, through extensive talks.

For his part, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson expressed his pride in talking about strengthening the strategic partnership between the Kingdom and the United States, pointing out that this moment is a milestone in the history of relations between the two countries, which will devote efforts to improve strategic partnership in the coming years, open new avenues for peace in the Middle East and support the process of economic, trade and diplomatic development, in addition to the participation of the region in media issues, stressing that the partnership stems from the confidence between the two countries, which requires great participation and mutual dialogue between the two countries.

Tillerson stressed the importance of solidarity to move forward towards consolidating common security interests between the two countries to confront extremist terrorism and eradicate it, and seek to drain the sources of funding and progress in joint defense cooperation, adding that many discussions were held Saturday in the long-standing security relations, stressing that the strength of relations economic consolidates the security force between the two countries.

On the defense agreements, the US Secretary of State said that there are agreements on border security, combating terrorism, missile defense, and updates in the field of communications and training, which will affect the importance of US national security and Saudi security and support the Kingdom to enhance military relations to counter the Iranian influence and threats spread across the borders of the Kingdom, noting the United States sought to strengthen the Kingdom's ability to contribute to the fight against terrorism in the Middle East region, and ensure the future of the kingdom to defend the surrounding threats in the region, which is one of the priorities of the US national security.

He also stressed his country's commitment to partnership with Saudi Arabia in providing new opportunities to combat terrorism and to activate the role of the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology which is led by Riyadh to fight terrorism in the field of information, and the fight against the ISIS organization through electronic fields, stressing the need to focus on penetrating the information field and the creation of sufficient expertise, and the need for GCC cooperation to bridge the gap in infrastructure, refute terrorism and stop terrorists from obtaining any funding or financial support from those who finance and eliminate terrorist organizations.

In response to the Iranian elections and the impact on the situation in the region, Tillerson said, "We are open to dialogue with anyone, and we are ready to cooperate with them and talk to them in a timely manner," emphasising the need to put pressure on the Yemeni parties to find an appropriate solution given the tragic situation witnessed by the Yemeni people.

The US Secretary of State expressed hope that Rohani in his new mandate will start to dismantle terrorist networks and stop the supply of finance and anything provided by Iran to these terrorist groups which exist in the region and end intercontinental ballistic missile program, calling on Rohani to change Iranian relations with the rest of the world.