(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) Riyadh, May 22 (QNA) - The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America said that they agreed to a new strategic partnership in the interest of both countries by formally announcing a Joint Strategic Vision, charting a renewed path toward a peaceful Middle East.
In a joint statement issued by the Saudi-US summit that was held in Riyadh on Saturday, the two countries added that they shared a desire to address threats to their shared security interests. Thus, the two countries sought to embark on new initiatives to counter violent extremist messaging, disrupt financing of terrorism, and advance defense cooperation.
The joint statement said that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and President Donald Trump of the United States of America praised the contribution of US President's visit to Saudi Arabia from 20 to 22 May to strengthening the relations between the two countries, in order to achieve greater stability, security and prosperity. "The two leaders agreed to a new strategic partnership for the 21st century in the interest of both countries by formally announcing a Joint Strategic Vision for the two countries, charting a renewed path toward a peaceful Middle East where economic development, trade, and diplomacy are hallmarks of regional and global engagement." It added that the two leaders agreed the Strategic Joint Consultative Group will meet at least once a year, rotating between the two countries, and it will review areas of cooperation. "The two countries shared a desire to address threats to their shared security interests. Thus, the two countries sought to embark on new initiatives to counter violent extremist messaging, disrupt financing of terrorism, and advance defense cooperation." The two sides expressed their desire to expand cooperation hope that responsible governments willing to commit to peace will build upon these efforts to realize these objectives. The two sides predicted violent extremists who threaten peace in the Middle East will find a growing group of regional partners arrayed against them, confronting their aggression and sowing the seeds of peace.
The two sides acknowledged a robust, integrated regional security architecture is critical to their cooperation. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America intend to expand engagement with other countries in the region over the coming years and to identify new areas of cooperation, added the statement.
The two countries welcomed the achievements during this visit, including the signing of a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding that will be fruitful for the peoples of the two countries and future generations, promoting security, stability and prosperity in the region. They noted the growing and advanced volume of two trade exchange between the two countries, joint investments in economic projects and infrastructure, and the provision of facilities and incentives for these investments.
The joint statement said that the two countries announced their plan to form a Strategic Joint Consultative Group, hosted by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the President of the United States of America, or their appropriate designees, to chart the course of this strategic partnership, pointing out that this strategic partnership as well as economic and investment cooperation will generate a large number of high quality jobs in both countries.
The joint statement said that the two leaders discussed during the visit the close cooperation between both countries to ensure the preservation of maritime security, including protecting the safety of navigation in key international waterways, particularly Bab Al-Mandab and the Strait of Hormuz. They also affirmed their determination to eliminate ISIS group, al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations and to fight terrorism using all instruments.
The two leaders expressed the commitment of their countries to vigorously confront the attempts of terrorist organizations to legitimize their criminality, and to counter the roots of terrorist ideology.
They reaffirmed their commitment to broad security cooperation and exchange of information to serve their interests and safeguard their security. They also reaffirmed their commitment to in curb the flow of foreign fighters and cutting off funding supplies for terrorist organizations.
The two leaders noted Saudi Arabia's achievement in detecting and disrupting 276 terrorist plots prior to their execution, including operations against the United States and friendly countries.
The joint statement said that President Trump praised the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in deterring the terrorist organizations' attempts to target the Kingdom, pointing out the attempts of terrorist organizations to cause a rift in relations between the two countries. The Kingdom was one of the first countries to suffer from terrorism: since 1992, more than 100 terrorist attacks have occurred in Saudi Arabia.
The two leaders affirmed their determination to unite and integrate efforts between the US-led Global Coalition against ISIS with Saudi Arabia and the Saudi-led Islamic Military Alliance to Fight Terrorism. They also agreed on the need to contain Iran's malign interference in the internal affairs of other states, instigation of sectarian strife, support of terrorism and armed proxies, and efforts to destabilize the countries in the region.
The two sides also stressed that Iran's interference poses a threat to the security of the region and the world, and that the nuclear agreement with Iran needs to be re-examined in some of its clauses. The Iranian ballistic missile program poses a threat not only to neighboring countries but also a direct threat to the security of all countries in the region as well as global security.
They also stressed the importance of reaching a comprehensive peace between Israelis and Palestinians. The leaders agreed to do everything they can to promote environment that is conductive to advancing peace.
The two sides stressed the need to work to resolve the crisis in Yemen.
As for the crisis in Syria, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stressed its support of President Trump's decision to launch missiles at Shayrat Mirbase from which the Syrian regime launched its chemical attacks on Khan Shaykhun. The two sides emphasized the importance that the Syrian regime adhere to the 2013 agreement to eliminate its entire stockpile of chemical weapons. The two sides emphasized the importance of reaching a permanent solution to the conflict in Syria based on the Geneva declaration and Security Council resolution 2254 in order to maintain the unity and integrity of Syrian territory so that it can be a country that represents the entire spectrum of the Syrian community and free from sectarian discrimination.
The two leaders expressed their support for the Iraqi government's efforts in eradicating ISIS, uniting the internal front to combat terrorism that poses a threat to all Iraqis, and preserving the unity and integrity of Iraqi territory, as well as the importance of stopping Iranian interference in the Iraqi internal affairs.
Regarding Lebanon, the two sides stressed the importance of supporting the Lebanese state to enforce its sovereignty on all of its territory, disarm terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah, and bring all weapons under the legitimate supervision of the Lebanese army. (END)
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