His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received a written message from His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Moez, President of the Republic of Maldives, concerning ways to strengthen the strong bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries, and discussing prospects for joint cooperation in various fields.

The message was received on behalf of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince by His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Engineer Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji, during his reception today at the Ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh of the Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Ahmed Sarir.

During the reception, the distinguished bilateral relations between the Kingdom and the Maldives were reviewed, and ways to develop them in a manner that serves the interests of the two brotherly peoples were discussed, in addition to discussing a number of topics of common interest, and exchanging views on regional and international developments.

The depth of Saudi-Maldivian relations

This message comes within the framework of ongoing communication between the leaderships of the two countries, as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Maldives share close historical and fraternal relations based on commonalities in Islamic identity and mutual cooperation. The Kingdom is a strategic partner of the Maldives in numerous development projects. Over the past decades, the Saudi Fund for Development has contributed to financing many vital infrastructure projects in the Maldives, including airport development, housing projects, and the health sector, reflecting the Kingdom's commitment to supporting the stability and prosperity of its sister nations.

Prospects for future cooperation

This diplomatic engagement is particularly important in light of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which seeks to expand international partnerships and enhance economic and investment cooperation. Given the Maldives' status as a global tourist destination and the Kingdom's focus on developing the tourism sector as a cornerstone of economic diversification, promising opportunities exist for the exchange of expertise and investments between the two countries. Furthermore, both nations play significant roles within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, making political coordination between them vital for addressing the challenges facing the Muslim world.

The reception of the Maldivian ambassador by Engineer Waleed Al-Khuraiji confirms the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ keenness to activate diplomatic communication channels and follow up on the outcomes of bilateral cooperation, in order to ensure the realization of the leadership’s aspirations in both countries towards greater integration and growth.

The Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Friedrich Merz, and his accompanying high-level delegation left the Saudi capital, Riyadh, today (Thursday), after concluding an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during which he held important talks aimed at strengthening the bonds of joint cooperation between the two friendly countries.

Official farewell ceremony at King Khalid International Airport

A formal farewell ceremony was held for the German Chancellor at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Among those bidding him farewell were His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region, and His Highness Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Mayor of Riyadh. Also present were the Minister of Finance, Mr. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan (the accompanying minister), the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to Germany, Mr. Fahd Al-Hathal, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Kingdom, Mr. Michael Kindsgrapp, the Acting Director of Riyadh Region Police, Major General Mansour bin Nasser Al-Otaibi, and the Deputy Chief of Royal Protocol, Mr. Fahd Al-Sahil.

Dimensions of the visit and the depth of Saudi-German relations

Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to Riyadh comes at a crucial time, reflecting the depth of the historical and strategic relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Federal Republic of Germany. These relations, spanning decades, have been characterized by mutual respect and constructive cooperation across various fields. Such reciprocal visits between the two countries' leaders are a cornerstone for coordinating positions on global and regional issues, particularly in light of the geopolitical challenges facing the world, thus underscoring the role of Riyadh and Berlin as influential capitals in international decision-making.

Economic partnership and the prospects of Vision 2030

This visit holds significant economic importance, as Germany is a major trading partner for the Kingdom and one of the leading economies in the European Union. In light of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, both sides seek to deepen cooperation in vital sectors such as renewable energy, green hydrogen, technology, and industry. The presence of Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan as the accompanying minister reflects the economic weight of the discussions, as German companies look to contribute more to the Kingdom's mega-projects, thus enhancing opportunities for mutual investment and supporting economic diversification plans.

Coordinating efforts to promote regional stability

Politically, Saudi Arabia is a cornerstone of security and stability in the Middle East. Germany highly values ​​the Saudi role in addressing regional crises, combating terrorism, and ensuring the security of global energy supplies. Therefore, the German Chancellor's visit is part of ongoing efforts to align perspectives on pressing regional issues and to work together to support peace and sustainable development, reflecting both countries' commitment to their international responsibilities as active members of the G20.