Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov underlined his keenness to forge a comprehensive strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia, noting that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was the “master of his word”.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Kadyrov said that a Saudi delegation, currently visiting Chechnya under the chairmanship of Prince Turki bin Mohammed, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, was looking into means to implement bilateral agreements, especially infrastructure projects of the Chechen security unit.
“We are keen to strengthen our fraternal relations with Saudi Arabia. Therefore, discussions were held during these two days between the Saudi and Chechen sides over issues of cooperation in the implementation of investment projects in the fields of tourism, transport, agriculture, building materials, health care and others,” the Chechen president said, adding that talks also touched on the possibility to launch direct flights between Grozny and Jeddah.
Kadyrov expressed confidence that relations between Russia and the Kingdom would develop comprehensively.
He emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s “well-being, development and security were very important for us and for all Muslims in the world.”
“I have been convinced that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is the master of his word,” he said, adding that the visit of the Saudi delegation to the Chechen Republic was the result “of our agreements with him during my visit to Saudi Arabia (in August).”
“I have expressed my confidence that the relations between the two countries will develop comprehensively,” he stressed.