RIYADH - Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman held wide ranging talks with Italy’s Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni at his palace in Riyadh on Tuesday.

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and prospects of further improving bilateral cooperation in all domains. Several high ranking Saudi and Italian officials attended the meeting.

The King also hosted a luncheon banquet in honor of the Italian leader and his accompanying delegation.

Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, also met Gentiloni. They reviewed aspects of cooperation between the two countries in various fields, particularly in the fields of investment and trade exchange in accordance with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Meanwhile, King Salman made on Tuesday a phone call with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. During the conversation, the King congratulated the Japanese leader on winning a new term in office as prime minister. The King hoped that the two countries would continue bolstering bilateral relations in all fields, to best serve mutual interests of the two nations and their peoples.

For his part, the Japanese leader expressed thanks and appreciation for the warm feelings expressed by the King. Abe emphasized keenness to keep on developing bilateral relations. He also congratulated the Kingdom on the success of recently held Future Investment Initiative conference. -- SG/SPA