Saudi Arabia, Canada open new diplomatic chapter as Crown Prince meets PM Carney in Jeddah
text_fields
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah on Thursday in the first official visit by a Canadian premier to the Kingdom in 26 years.
The talks were held at Al-Salam Palace, where Mr Carney was received with a formal state welcome after arriving in Jeddah earlier in the day at the invitation of the Crown Prince.
The Canadian Prime Minister landed at King Abdulaziz International Airport, where Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah and Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan received him.
Also present at the airport reception were Amal bint Yahya Al-Moallimi, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Canada; Jean-Philippe Linteau, Canada’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia; Major General Saleh Al-Jabri, Director of Makkah Regional Police; and Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Dhafer, Director General of the Royal Protocol Office.
The visit comes as Riyadh and Ottawa seek to rebuild diplomatic and economic ties through new areas of cooperation.
Mr Carney, a former governor of both the Bank of England and the Bank of Canada, held discussions with the Crown Prince on economic and energy partnerships, as well as opportunities linked to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 program.
The two leaders reviewed prospects for Canadian investment and technology partnerships in sectors including green energy, artificial intelligence, mining, agriculture, sustainable development and infrastructure.
The talks also covered regional and international developments, including global economic stability, climate change efforts and the latest political situation in the Middle East.
During the visit, Mr Carney is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the Canada-Saudi Business and Investment Forum in Jeddah.
Several agreements are expected during the visit, with a focus on private sector trade and stronger supply chains between the two countries.