Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg made history with his visit to Riyadh, marking the first time a sitting Secretary General of NATO visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. During his visit, Mr Stoltenberg emphasized the importance of deeper cooperation between NATO and Saudi Arabia, highlighting areas such as maritime security, protection of critical infrastructure, the fight against terrorism, innovation, and military education. He noted that there is significant potential for NATO and Saudi Arabia to work together due to mutual challenges, including Iran’s destabilizing influence in the region and climate change.
Mr Stoltenberg recently appointed a group of external experts to review NATO’s approach to the Gulf, the Middle East, and Africa, with the goal of exploring new avenues of cooperation. He also addressed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, stating that Russia’s aggression not only affects Ukraine but also the entire rules-based international order, impacting global food and energy security. NATO remains committed to standing with Ukraine and providing both political and practical support in the face of Russian aggression.
During his visit, Mr Stoltenberg met with Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed A. Elkhereiji and expressed his gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s hospitality. He also held discussions with the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), highlighting the importance of dialogue with partners and valuing NATO’s relationship with the GCC. Additionally, Mr Stoltenberg visited the headquarters of Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) and discussed industrial production and potential future avenues for cooperation with CEO Walid Abukhaled. He also engaged with policymakers, think tank experts, and media during a meeting hosted by Dr. Abdulaziz Sager, Chairman of the Gulf Research Centre.
Overall, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s visit to Riyadh marked a significant moment in NATO’s relationship with Saudi Arabia. By emphasizing the importance of deeper cooperation and highlighting areas of mutual interest, such as maritime security and the fight against terrorism, Mr Stoltenberg paved the way for future collaboration between NATO and the Kingdom. The discussions held during the visit, including those on Ukraine and the broader Middle East region, underscored NATO’s commitment to upholding the rules-based international order and supporting partners in times of conflict and instability. The visit also demonstrated NATO’s willingness to engage with key partners in the region, such as Saudi Arabia and the GCC, in order to strengthen security and stability in the region.
