RIYADH – Minister of Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir affirmed on Sunday the depth of the Saudi-British relations that still enjoy growth and development in all fields and at all levels.
"The remarks attributed by the media to British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson during a recent conference in Rome were misconstrued,” he told a joint press conference with Johnson following their meeting at the ministry headquarters in Riyadh.
"I have no doubt that his comments as reported in the press were misconstrued,” Jubeir said.
Jubeir said Britain and Saudi Arabia have enjoyed a long strategic relationship extending over 100 years. “We don’t have any doubt in where Britain stands, and Britain has no doubt in where we stand. I believe that the matter is closed,” the minister said.
Jubeir and Johnson discussed a number of important issues of mutual concern on the regional and international arenas and agreed to further enhance relations between the two countries.
“We discussed regional situations of mutual concern, especially, the importance of reaching a comprehensive and fair solution to the Palestinian-Israeli struggle through the Arab peace initiative. We spoke about Lebanon, expressing hope that the Lebanese would form a government that guarantees political stability in the country,” Jubeir said.
Jubeir said he discussed with his British counterpart ways of enhancing the current cooperation between the two countries in combating terrorism and extremism, confirming that the talks, in this context, covered the Iranian interference in the affairs of the region, a move rejected by all countries of the region.
He said their meeting dealt with the situation in Syria, and discussed the best way to reach a peaceful solution. On the situation in Yemen, Jubeir drew the attention to the arrangement reached between the Kingdom and Britain on the importance of extending support for the UN envoy to enable him orchestrate a peaceful solution.
