LOZITHA PALACE – His Majesty King Mswati III yesterday met the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim El Kheraji, at Lozitha Royal Palace, where the visiting diplomat delivered a special message from the Saudi Royal Family and Government.
The Vice Minister’s visit to Eswatini formed part of efforts to strengthen diplomatic and economic cooperation between the two kingdoms.
El Kheraji arrived in the country around midday through King Mswati III International Airport, where he was received by Prince Lindani and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Senator Pholile Shakantu. He later met the minister at The Royal Villas before proceeding to Lozitha for a meeting with Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini, ahead of his audience with the King.
Minister Shakantu said the visit marked progress in advancing the commitments made under the general cooperation agreement she signed with Saudi Foreign Affairs Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in December last year. The agreement seeks to enhance collaboration across various sectors, including trade, investment and development.
She noted that Eswatini and Saudi Arabia have maintained close diplomatic relations since April 25, 1999, and that discussions are ongoing to establish a Saudi Arabian Embassy in Eswatini.
In May 2023, the Saudi Royal Court Advisor Ahmed Qattan announced plans for the embassy during a meeting with King Mswati III, where both sides renewed their commitment to deepening ties between the two kingdoms.
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