Saudi Crown Prince and Syrian President Witness Exchange and Signing of Several MoUs and Cooperation Agreements

Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, received Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), President al-Sharaa’s visit came at the gracious invitation of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and in light of the deep-rooted historical ties, fraternal relations uniting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Syrian Arab Republic and their brotherly peoples, as well as to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

The agency stated that the two sides held a round of talks, during which they reviewed the close bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to develop them across all fields. They exchanged views on all current regional and international developments, including the serious repercussions of any military escalation on regional and international security and stability, the safety of international navigation, the sustainability of energy supplies, and the stability of the global economy.

Both sides praised the significant alignment in positions and viewpoints on regional and international issues of mutual interest, reflecting the depth of coordination and consultation between the two countries. They emphasized the importance of enhancing regional and international efforts aimed at de-escalation and crisis containment, prioritizing dialogue and diplomacy, and settling disputes through peaceful means. They stressed the necessity of an immediate halt to all actions threatening the security of maritime navigation and waterways in the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Strait of Hormuz.

During the visit, a memorandum of understanding on industrial cooperation was signed between the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Industry, Domestic Trade, and Consumer Protection of the Syrian Arab Republic, as well as an agreement on cooperation between the defense ministries of the two brotherly countries. Additionally, memoranda of understanding on cooperation in agriculture and environmental protection were signed between the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and the Syrian Ministries of Local Administration and Environment and Agriculture. Several agreements were also signed between the Saudi Fund for Development and the Syrian side, covering various infrastructure, health, housing, and financial services projects.

At the conclusion of the visit, President al-Sharaa expressed his gratitude and appreciation to his brother, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, for the warm reception and hospitality extended to him and the accompanying delegation. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud conveyed his best wishes for President al-Sharaa’s health and well-being, and for further progress and prosperity for the brotherly Syrian people.