The centenary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Saudi Arabia holds a special status, as bilateral ties are characterized by both depth and future promise, Chairwoman of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko said in a congratulatory message to the Chairman of the Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia, Abdullah bin Mohammed Al ash-Sheikh.
"On behalf of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and myself, I congratulate you on the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries," the letter stated. Matviyenko described this milestone as a hallmark of stable, time-tested interstate communication, noting that few bilateral connections possess such depth and perspective, which is why the current landmark date rightfully holds a special status.
The century-long jubilee, according to Matviyenko, serves as an appropriate moment to provide a new momentum to Russia-Saudi relations. She highlighted the need to find ways to implement projects in trade, economic, and investment, as well as in energy and industry. Furthermore, she suggested expanding the cooperation in science, culture, and education, while increasing the coordination of joint efforts to address current issues on the regional and international agendas.
The chairwoman of the Federation Council drew particular attention to the role of legislators in fostering mutual understanding and creating a reliable legal framework for developing the partnership. She emphasized that delegation exchanges, the activities of inter-parliamentary friendship groups, and contacts through specialized committees build an atmosphere of trust and make a significant contribution to supporting business initiatives and regional cooperation.
Diplomatic relations between the USSR and Saudi Arabia were established on February 19, 1926. The Soviet Union was the first country to recognize the Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd, which later became the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Federation Council
Based on materials from TASS