Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, in what is seen as the fresh step towards mending ties between the US government and the de facto Saudi ruler.
“The two affirmed their shared commitment to advance stability, security, and prosperity across the Middle East and beyond, including through a comprehensive political agreement to achieve peace, prosperity, and security in Yemen,” US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said.
Miller said that commitment includes “a comprehensive political agreement to achieve peace, prosperity, and security in Yemen,” adding that Blinken “emphasized that our bilateral relationship is strengthened by progress on human rights.”
Relations between the two countries have been strained following Saudi refusal to increase oil output to reduce oil prices. Now in the wake of Saudi Arabia saying this week said it will slash oil output starting in July as part of an effort by producers to shore up crude prices, the US administration has sought to reengage with the kingdom.
“The Secretary and the Crown Prince discussed deepening economic cooperation, especially in the clean energy and technology fields,” Miller said.
According to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Crown Prince and Blinken reviewed the bilateral relations and aspects of cooperation in various fields and ways to enhance them.
They also discussed the latest regional and international developments and the efforts exerted in this regard, the SPA said.
The meeting was attended by Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the United States of America; Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, Minister of State, Cabinet Member, and National Security Advisor, along with several U.S officials.