Riyadh-Washington relationship important for world's peace
World
There was period of tension but that doesn't take away from fact that we’re allies, Saudi Ambassador
DAVOS (Reuters) - The long-standing strategic alliance between Riyadh and Washington is beyond vitally important for sustaining world’s peace, according to the ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the United States.
The killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents in 2018, the Saudi-led coalition s involvement in the Yemeni conflict and more recently the conflict in Ukraine and OPEC+ oil policy have all strained the traditionally strong ties between Saudi Arabia and United States under President Joe Biden s administration.
At a session at the Globe Economic Forum in Davos Saudi Ambassador Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud stated, "Yes, there was a period of tension and disagreement but that doesn t take away from the fact that we are both strategic allies and friends and this relationship is essential for the world."
Saudi Arabia s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has resisted pressure from the United States to assist isolate Russia over its energy strategy, which Saudi officials claim has been vindicated by the stability of the oil price.
When questioned on the same panel about the visit by the Chinese President to the Kingdom in December, Mohammed al-Jadaan Saudi Arabia s finance minister stated that both China and the United States were crucial to the country.
The kingdom, which is the top oil exporter in the world, intends to bridge the distance between the two competing economic behemoths, he claimed.
In an interview on Tuesday, Jadaan had stated that Saudi Arabia was open to negotiations about how it pays its commerce whether in dollars, euros or the Saudi riyal.
