Mohammed bin Salman: Saudi Arabia is ‘Biggest Success Story of the 21st Century’

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his interview with Fox News
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his interview with Fox News
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Mohammed bin Salman: Saudi Arabia is ‘Biggest Success Story of the 21st Century’

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his interview with Fox News
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his interview with Fox News

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said that the Kingdom is “the biggest success story of the 21st century.”

In an interview with Bret Baier, chief political anchor of Fox News, at NEOM, Prince Mohammed bin Salman stressed that Saudi Arabia was the fastest growing country in all sectors, and had achieved the fastest growth in gross domestic product (GDP) among the G20 countries for two consecutive years.

The Saudi Crown Prince also said that the Kingdom tried to join the G7, “but some countries wanted to dictate their conditions.”

He noted that investment in tourism has raised the sector’s contribution to the GDP from 3 percent to 7 percent, adding that tourism in Saudi Arabia attracted 40 million visits and aims to target 100 million to 150 million in 2030.

Touching on political issues, the Saudi Crown Prince said that his country was discussing with the Americans the means to reach good results that will alleviate the suffering of the Palestinians.

In this context, he stressed the importance of resolving the Palestinian issue, considering it essential in any normalization of relations with Israel.

Bin Salman also rejected reports that Saudi Arabia had paused negotiations, which he stressed was “not true.”

“Every day we get closer... We get to see how it goes,” he said.

He insisted his country could work with Israel, no matter who is in charge, calling the deal “the biggest historical deal since the end of the Cold War.”

The Saudi Crown Prince noted that the upcoming agreements with the United States are beneficial to the two countries and to the security of the region and the world.

He added that relations with Iran have seen some progress, expressing his hope that they will continue in this direction for the benefit of the security and stability of the region.

He stressed, however, that any nuclear arms race in the region would not only threaten its security, but also the security of the world.

Should Iran ever obtain such a weapon, Saudi Arabia would “have to get one, for security reasons, for balancing power,” bin Salman remarked.

He also said that China had chosen to “mediate between us and the Iranians.”

In his first interview with a major US news network since 2019, the Saudi Crown Prince said that the decisions to reduce oil production were aimed at stabilizing the market and not helping Russia in its war.

Regarding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, he said that relations were good with Russia and Ukraine, and the Kingdom prefers the path of dialogue, and does not support one party at the expense of another.

The Saudi Crown Prince spoke about relations with the United States, pointing to important security ties with Washington.

He added that he enjoyed “a special relationship with President [Joe] Biden,” noting that Saudi Arabia wanted American and foreign companies to invest in a safe environment in the Middle East.

“We are one of the five largest buyers of American weapons, and our move to buy weapons from countries other than the United States is not in their interest,” he stated.



Saudi Arabia Emphasizes Peaceful Cooperation to Achieve Global Security

Ambassador Abdul Mohsen bin Khothaila speaks during the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference. (Photo: Saudi Mission in Geneva)
Ambassador Abdul Mohsen bin Khothaila speaks during the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference. (Photo: Saudi Mission in Geneva)
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Saudi Arabia Emphasizes Peaceful Cooperation to Achieve Global Security

Ambassador Abdul Mohsen bin Khothaila speaks during the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference. (Photo: Saudi Mission in Geneva)
Ambassador Abdul Mohsen bin Khothaila speaks during the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference. (Photo: Saudi Mission in Geneva)

Saudi Arabia emphasized peaceful international cooperation as a means to achieve global prosperity, stability and security, stressing the importance of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the necessity of its full implementation.

Ambassador Abdul Mohsen bin Khothaila, the Permanent Saudi Representative to the United Nations and international organizations in Geneva, participated in the second session of the Preparatory Committee for the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference.

The ambassador called for more effective international efforts to achieve the goals and universality of the NPT, urging non-party states to join the treaty and subject all their nuclear facilities to the comprehensive safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Affirming the right to the peaceful use of nuclear technology under Article 4 of the Treaty, he underlined the importance of adhering to the highest standards of transparency and reliability, calling on all parties to cooperate to promote peaceful use for the benefit of global development and well-being.

He stated that the responsibility for making the Middle East a nuclear-weapon-free zone lies with the international community, especially the sponsors of the 1995 resolution on the Middle East.

Bin Khothaila condemned the recent statements and threats made by a member of the Israeli government regarding the use of nuclear weapons against the Palestinians, describing his words as violations of international law and a threat to global peace and security.

He further called for intensifying cooperation between the parties to the NPT to attain positive results at the next “review conference” in 2026, with the aim of achieving a safe world free of nuclear weapons.