Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom have stressed the importance of “regional de-escalation” and “adherence to international norms and the United Nations Charter.”
In a joint statement issued on Thursday at the conclusion of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Saudi Arabia, the two sides “reaffirmed the conflict in Gaza must come to an immediate end and hostages be released.”
They also “welcomed any steps that ensure the safety of the Syrian people, stop the bloodshed, and preserve the institutions and capabilities of the Syrian state.”
They “stressed the importance of the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon holding, and a political settlement consistent with the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.”
According to the statement, Saudi Arabia and the UK emphasized the importance of strengthening the economic partnership between the two countries, and reaffirmed their commitment to increasing bilateral trade to £30bn by 2030.
The two sides also welcomed significant progress made on the GCC-UK Free Trade Agreement, saying officials will continue negotiations to finalize the agreement as soon as possible.
“They affirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in the fields of clean technology, energy innovation, and sustainability, contributing to sustainable economic growth and the development of commercial partnerships between the two countries,” said the statement.
They also “underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation in the financial services sector, including banking, fintech, asset management, green finance, and insurance.”
