WASHINGTON: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has vowed to work closely with the US to strengthen strategic relations between the two countries.
The Saudi Crown Prince sent a cable of thanks to US President Donald Trump on Thursday after departing Washington, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
In the message, the Crown Prince expressed his deep gratitude and appreciation for the warm welcome and generous hospitality that he and the accompanying delegation received.
The Crown Prince said the official discussions with the US president reaffirmed the enduring strength of the historic and strategic relationship between the two nations, as well as the continued efforts — under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the US president — to further advance cooperation in all fields.
He wished the president continued health and happiness, and expressed hopes for greater progress and prosperity for the American people.
President Donald Trump has announced the elevation of US–Saudi relations, declaring the Kingdom a major non-NATO US ally as Washington and Riyadh move to consolidate their long-standing strategic partnership.
“I’m pleased to announce that we’re taking our military cooperation to even greater heights by formally designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, which is something that is very important to them,” Trump said as he hosted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a formal dinner at the White House on Tuesday.
The White House earlier said that Trump and Mohammed bin Salman signed a strategic defence agreement that it said “strengthens our more than 80-year defence partnership and fortifies deterrence across the Middle East.”
The Crown Prince, during a meeting with President Trump, announced that the Kingdom will increase its investments in the United States to $1 trillion, up from the $600 billion previously pledged.
