Swedish PM to visit Saudi Arabia to repair ties
NAN-F-9
Visit
Stockholm, Oct. 20, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven is to visit Saudi Arabia this weekend, the premier’s office said on Thursday, marking a further improvement in ties that hit a low in 2015.
“Saudi Arabia is an important political and economic player and has a key role in the region’s development and security,” Lofven said in a statement.
The conflict in Syria was one of the top issues he planned to raise during talks with Saudi officials, he said, noting that Sweden in January will become a member of the UN Security Council.
Lofven was also to meet with the Saudi human rights commission.
Ties between the Gulf monarchy and Sweden were sorely strained in early 2015 when the Gulf monarchy reacted angrily to Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom’s criticism of its human rights record.
The Saudi ambassador to Sweden was briefly recalled in March 2015 and Riyadh said it would not issue visas for Swedish nationals planning business trips.
During the row, the Swedish government said it would not renew a military cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia.
Lofven was to be accompanied by business leader Marcus Wallenberg and Maria Rankka, Chief Executive of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce who are members of the Saudi-Swedish Business Council.
The council was set up in October 2015 to enhance trade.
In 2015, Saudi Arabia was one of Sweden’s top 20 trading partners.
(dpa/NAN)
(Edited by Danilola Oyewole/ Julius Enehikhuere)