In an effort to strengthen the cordial relations between the Kingdoms of Eswatini and Saudi Arabia, the latter’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs His Excellency Eng. Walid bin Abdul Karim Al-Khuraiji paid a courtesy visit to His Majesty King Mswati III.
The vice minister arrived in the country around noon yesterday at King Mswati III International Airport. He was welcomed by Prince Lindani and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Pholile Shakantu.
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His first stop was at The Royal Villas where he made a courtesy call to Minister Shakantu before proceeding to Lozitha Palace where he met with Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini before he met His Majesty King III. According to the minister, the vice minister’s visit marked a significant step in translating previous discussions into actionable partnerships. She said in December last year, she signed a general cooperation agreement with Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the Foreign Affairs Minister of Saudi Arabia.
“This agreement reaffirmed our shared commitment to enhancing collaboration between our two nations. Eswatini and Saudi Arabia are dedicated to bringing this agreement to life for the benefit of both kingdoms,” she said, adding that the two kingdoms’ longstanding ties, established on April 25, 1999, had been strengthened through this cooperation. “We look forward to building an even brighter future together,” the minister said. The two kingdoms had had talks of having a Saudi Arabian embassy in Eswatini.
In May 2023, the Saudi Arabia’s Royal Court Advisor Ahmed Qattan announced the establishment of the embassy.
The announcement was made by Qattan during his meeting with King Mswati III, in which strengthening bilateral relations was also discussed, reaffirming the bonds that exist between the kingdoms.
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