Pedro Sánchez stresses Saudi Arabia's mediating role in preventing further regional escalation

Jeddah (Saudi Arabia)

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, has travelled to Jeddah, where he held a meeting with the Prime Minister and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, at which they discussed the current situation in Gaza.

The two leaders shared the opinion that the international community must redouble its efforts to end the crisis, firstly by implementing the ceasefire called for by the UN Security Council and secondly by ensuring humanitarian access.

The president exchanged views with the Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia to try to find a political solution to end the conflict and move towards the implementation of the two-state solution.

Also during the meeting, the president said that Spain is willing to support the leadership of the Arab Quintet regarding the agreements for "the day after".

Meeting between the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and the Prime Minister and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohamed bin Salmán | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

On the regional escalation of the conflict, they shared concerns about the threats it would pose to global stability and security. In this regard, the president positively valued the efforts being made by Saudi Arabia to mediate between the different actors involved.

Among other aspects addressed, Pedro Sánchez pointed out that the Government of Spain is following with interest the economic and social transformation that Saudi Arabia is undergoing under Mohammed bin Salman's 'Vision 2030', and the opportunity that this approach represents for fostering bilateral relations between the two countries. The two leaders agreed on the creation of a structured framework for economic cooperation between the two governments for the identification and implementation of investment opportunities.

Meeting with Spanish companies

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, during his meeting with the representatives of Spanish companies | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

The president also held an informal meeting with several representatives of Spanish companies to hear their concerns and interests, as well as their possible investment plans in the country.

Saudi Arabia is a vitally important economic partner for Spain. It is the main destination for Spanish exports to the Middle East and Spain's main supplier in the region, as well as the second destination for Spanish investment in the Middle East region. Likewise, in the last decade Spanish companies have won important public works contracts in Saudi Arabia to the value of €17 billion.

Before the Spanish companies, Pedro Sánchez highlighted the opportunity provided by the economic diversification strategy followed by the Saudi Government, reflected in the "Vision 2030", which involves major infrastructure programmes in sectors in which Spanish companies are world leaders, such as energy, transport, tourism and water.

Non official translation