Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles stressed the strong relations between Saudi Arabia and Australia, noting that the Kingdom stands as Australia's second-largest trading partner in the Middle East.
In a statement issued by his office, Marles indicated that his visit to the Kingdom and the UAE seeks to enhance collaborative efforts within the G20 and other multilateral institutions and aims to emphasize the unwavering commitment to a rules-based international order.
The statement further emphasized that the Kingdom is a crucial partner for Australia and that the visit presents an opportunity to broaden economic ties and explore avenues for deeper cooperation with regional leaders.
Marles said that this visit underscores Australia's commitment to fortifying economic and diplomatic ties with the Kingdom, recognizing its crucial role as a partner in addressing shared global challenges.
Marles met with Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz in Riyadh on Wednesday.
