Saudi, UK Defense Ministers Discuss Strategic Defense Relations
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz held on Wednesday a phone call with United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defense Wes Streeting for talks on strategic defense relations between their countries.
They also discussed joint efforts to address regional developments.
They reaffirmed their support for measures that promote regional security and stability and exchanged views on issues of mutual concern.
Saudi Arabia: No Compromise in Protecting our Security, Will Respond Firmly to Any Threat
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, stressed on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia was “making every possible effort to reduce escalation and support diplomatic solutions, without the slightest compromise when it comes to safeguarding our security.”
“We will not hesitate to respond firmly to any threat or attack that seeks to undermine it,” he declared as he delivered the annual Royal Address as he inaugurated the third year of the Shura Council's ninth session on behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Upon arrival at the Shura Council headquarters, the Crown Prince was received by Governor of Riyadh Region Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, and Speaker of the Shura Council Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Al-Sheikh.
He was greeted by Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council Dr. Mishal Al-Sulami, Assistant Speaker of the Shura Council Dr. Hanan Al-Ahmadi, Secretary-General of the Shura Council Mohammed Al-Mutairi, and the chairs of the council's specialized committees.
Continuing the Royal Address, the Crown Prince said: “We take pride in our valiant heroes for confronting all forms of threats and for their vigilance and constant readiness, so that security continues to protect our country, stability serves as its shield, and prosperity remains its course.”
Saudi Arabia “possesses highly capable human and military resources that are fully able, by the grace of Allah, to confront and deter threats from any source.”
“The attacks targeting the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states underscore that Gulf security and stability are indivisible,” he stressed.
“We are working with our brothers to safeguard Gulf security, pursue strategic cooperation and economic integration, and continue implementing the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for strengthening joint Gulf action, in order to achieve the GCC's goals and meet the aspirations of its citizens,” continued the Crown Prince.
“As part of our efforts to strengthen regional stability, avert the consequences of tension and conflict, and coordinate action, the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement was concluded between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan,” he added.
“It stems from our shared commitment to fulfilling our role in enhancing regional security and stability. In this regard, we appreciate the support shown to the Kingdom by brotherly and friendly nations and their contributions to bolstering regional peace and stability,” he stated.
Members of the Shura Council at the inauguration of the third year of its ninth session. (SPA)
Moreover, he remarked: “Today, the world is facing an energy crisis with uncertain outcomes. In this crisis, the Kingdom has served as a safeguard for global energy security by providing oil supplies to international markets despite the escalation.”
“The Kingdom also took the initiative to establish the Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance to enhance maritime security, protect shared interests in international sea lanes, and prevent their exploitation as a tool of political or economic pressure,” he noted.
“The Kingdom is making every effort, together with its partners, to strengthen international cooperation to maintain security, reduce escalation, and defuse tensions in pursuit of regional and international stability. We also stress the need for the international community to swiftly fulfill its responsibilities to ensure the safe flow of essential goods and humanitarian assistance,” he said.
“We strongly condemn the continued brutal attacks by the Israeli occupation authority against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, as well as its repeated violations of Al-Aqsa Mosque. We call on the international community, and the Board of Peace in particular, to play its anticipated role in reaching a lasting political solution,” he urged.
“The Kingdom's commitment to the rights of the Palestinian people is a firm position and an ongoing endeavor that will not cease until the Palestinian people obtain their legitimate rights, including the establishment of their independent state in accordance with international terms of reference,” stressed the Crown Prince.
“In Yemen, the Kingdom reaffirms its comprehensive support, through the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, for the Yemeni government to extend its authority throughout the country, restore stability, and confront the attacks of the terrorist Houthi militias, which have chosen chaos and destruction and the threatening of the Yemeni people and the region as their course of action,” he remarked.
“The Kingdom also reaffirms its firm support for Sudan's unity and stability, the preservation of its legitimate institutions, and sparing its people the tragedies of war and destruction,” he added.
On domestic affairs, Crown Prince Mohammed said: “Allah has honored our state by entrusting it with the service and development of the Two Holy Mosques and the care of their visitors. This is an extension of our inherited commitment in this regard, reflecting our pride in this great honor with which Allah has distinguished us.”
