His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, received Wednesday Islamic Republic of Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at the Royal Court in Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, where an official reception ceremony was held in his honor.
The Prime Minister and HRH the Crown Prince inspected the Guard of Honor.
Following the reception, HRH the Crown Prince and the Pakistani Prime Minister held an official session of talks, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
Both parties reviewed the close relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and discussed ways to enhance the strategic partnership between the two brotherly countries across various fields. They also exchanged views on regional and international developments, issues of common interest, and the efforts aimed at achieving security and stability.
HRH the Crown Prince later hosted an official luncheon in honor of the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
At the conclusion of the visit, HRH the Crown Prince and the Pakistani Prime Minister signed a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, attended the signing ceremony. Munir is regarded as the country’s most powerful person.
The agreement aims to enhance aspects of defense cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression. It stipulates that any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both, it was announced in a joint statement.
This agreement reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security and achieve peace in the region and the world, the statement noted.
The agreement builds on the historic partnership extending for nearly eight decades between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, and is based on the bonds of brotherhood and Islamic solidarity, as well as shared strategic interests and close defense cooperation between the two countries, it was pointed out.
Sharif, who arrived in Riyadh on a state visit in response to an invitation from the Crown Prince, held an official session of talks attended by delegations, comprising high ranking officials of both countries. During the talks, the leaders reviewed the close bilateral relations and the coordinated efforts to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries in various fields.
They also discussed regional and international developments, and the efforts made to achieve security and stability in the region. The historic and strategic relations between both countries, and a number of topics of common interest were also figured in their talks. (SPA; Reuters; Saudi Gazette; Photo © SPA)
