The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Palestine and its Consul General in Jerusalem, Nayef Al-Sudairi, affirmed the Kingdom’s adherence to the Arab Peace Initiative as a basis for resolving the Palestinian issue, which is the basic point in any upcoming agreement.

Al-Sudairi expressed to reporters, after his meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs, Riyad Al-Maliki, at the Ministry’s headquarters, Ramallah, today, Tuesday, his happiness for his presence in Palestine, and for his meeting with President Mahmoud Abbas, on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and the Crown Prince, Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Al-Sudairi said that he handed over a copy of his credentials as ambassador to Palestine and consul general of Saudi Arabia in Jerusalem, stressing that the Kingdom intends to open a consulate in East Jerusalem.

Al-Sudairi pointed to the statements of the Saudi Crown Prince last week, “in which he clearly indicated his great interest in the Palestinian issue and the Palestinian people.”

He also referred to statements also made by Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, “regarding the importance of the Palestinian issue and its solution on the basis of the two-state solution leading to the establishment of the State of Palestine.”

Al-Sudairi stressed the depth of Saudi-Palestinian relations, which began during the era of the late King Abdulaziz Al Saud, to reach what it reached during the era of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and his Crown Prince, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, stressing their keenness to develop them.

For his part, Al-Maliki told reporters, “His Excellency the Saudi Ambassador to Palestine received the Consul General in Jerusalem, who is visiting Palestine as a representative of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Highness the Crown Prince,” describing the Saudi ambassador’s visit as “a historic moment in the distinguished relations between the two countries.”

He added: We are very happy with the presence of the Saudi ambassador in his second country, Palestine, and we believe that this step by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince brings us very close as two countries, two peoples and leaders, and reflects the depth of the historical relations between them.

Al-Maliki considered the presence of the Saudi ambassador in Palestine "reflects the development of bilateral relations and the great interest of the leadership of the two countries."

He said: We welcome the Saudi ambassador to Palestine, and we are ready to begin work from the moment to develop relations between the two countries, revealing the soon return of the Saudi ambassador to Palestine “to begin his work to develop relations between the two countries, as it is a major responsibility, and to work for his basic mission, which is to preserve the Palestinian cause.” The central issue for all Arabs, and certainly for Saudi Arabia.”