MOSCOW — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques on Thursday held wide-ranging talks with the Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin.

Speaking on the occasion, the King underscored the need for tapping the great opportunities for diversification and expansion of the base for economic cooperation between the two countries.

He also called for creating an appropriate economic, commercial and investment ground that is capable of increasing the better utilization and strengthening of the comparative advantages of the two countries and pushing forward the trade exchange with all its components in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

The King also called on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities with regard to the problem of the Rohingya Muslims and to find a solution that protects them from violence and gross rights violations as well as to alleviate their suffering.

In his speech, Putin highlighted the significance of the visit of King Salman to Russia and the talks that took place. “These talks were rich in content and were characterized by confidence. We are very pleased with this visit, which is for the first time in the history of relations between the two countries. I am sure that this visit will give a new impetus to further develop relations between the two countries,” he said.

King Salman thanked Putin for the warm hospitality accorded to him and the accompanying delegation. “We are pleased to be in your country to emphasize our keenness to strengthen relations between our two countries and peoples in various fields. We hold identical views on many regional and international issues, and we are continuing coordination in everything that will enhance the security and prosperity of our countries as well as in promoting international peace and security.”

The King emphasized his keenness on continuing the positive cooperation between the two countries to stabilize the world oil market so as to serve the growth of the global economy.

King Salman called on the international community to intensify efforts to combat extremism, fight terrorism, dry its sources of funding, as the Kingdom sees terrorism and extremism as a great threat to the security and stability of countries and peoples. He also drew attention to the Kingdom’s call for the establishment of the International Counterterrorism Center at the United Nations and its donation $ 110 million for the purpose. “The Kingdom has also established the Islamic Military Coalition to Combat Terrorism, which includes 41 Islamic states, and the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology in Riyadh.

On Palestine, the King said: “We affirm the necessity of ending the suffering of the Palestinian people, and that the Arab Peace Initiative and the international resolutions should be the basis for reaching a comprehensive, just and lasting peace that guarantees the right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

King emphasized that the security and stability of the Gulf region and the Middle East are an absolute necessity for achieving international security and stability. “Therefore, Iran must commit to stop its interference in the internal affairs of the countries in the region and its attempts to undermine the region’s security and stability.”

Regarding Syrian conflict, the King called for putting an end to the crisis in accordance with the Geneva Resolutions 1 and Security Council Resolution 2254, and to find a political solution that will guarantee security and stability and preserve Syria’s unity and territorial integrity.

On Yemen, he emphasized the importance of the political solution to the crisis according to the GCC initiative, its executive mechanism, the outcome of the Yemeni national dialogue, and Security Council resolution 2216.

King Salman also invited Putin to visit Saudi Arabia. The meeting was attended by high-ranking officials from both the countries. — SPA