RIYADH: Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, second deputy premier and minister of defense, will seek to cement economic, cultural, political and trade relations with Russia during his visit to Moscow this week.



This was stated by Abdulrahman Al-Rassi, Saudi ambassador to Russia, who said the two countries have always enjoyed strong ties. Prince Mohammed would hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other top officials, he said.

The visit would see the two sides create a structure for institutional bilateral dialogue, schedule mutual visits, cooperation on research and the media, and activate institutions such as the Saudi-Russian Business Council, he said.

Al-Rassi said that the countries’ relations go back to 1926 when the Soviet Union was the first country to recognize King Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman as the Sultan of Najd and Hejaz.

King Faisal, then a prince and representing the king, visited the Soviet Union in 1932. King Abdullah, as crown prince, visited Russia in 2003, and met with Putin to sign energy, science and technology agreements. King Abdullah also opened an exhibition of Saudi products in Moscow, organized by the Council of Saudi Chambers.

King Salman, as governor of Riyadh, visited Russia in 2006. The late Crown Prince Sultan visited the country in 2007. He also received an honorary doctorate from the University of International Relations in Moscow.