By NNN-KUNA
Riyadh : British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs David Miliband underscored Saturday the importance of the upcoming visit of Saudi’s King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud to the United Kingdom, saying that it would push forth the Middle East peace process.
In remarks to the Saudi Al-Jazeera newspaper, he said the visit, slated Monday, and would take bilateral relations to a new level, noting the important role played by the Saudi monarch in consolidating peace, stability and security in the region.
“We are anticipating this important visit, which will further strengthen relations between the two countries in the fields of politics, economy and social issues,” he said.
Moreover, Miliband said it was an opportunity for discussing issues of mutual concern.
On talks with British officials, Miliband said they would include regional and international issues of common interest, especially the upcoming peace process called for by the US, developments in Iraq and Darfur, as well as boosting Saudi-British relations at all levels.
The British minister lauded his country’s historic relations with the Saudi kingdom, saying that Saudi Arabia was an important partner for his country in the region.
The three-day visit, which will begin on Monday, is to include the third dialogue summit between the two kingdoms, headed by the foreign ministers of the two countries. Agreements and memorandums will also be signed for the prevention of dual taxation, vocational training and sports.
This is King Abdullah’s first visit to Britain after coming to rule in August 2005, and it is in response to an invitation extended by Queen Elizabeth II. The Saudi monarch will also be visiting Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Turkey as part of his tour.