In 1926, Russia was the first country to establish diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Hejaz and Najd. What do you consider to be the most momentous achievements of these strong bilateral ties, which lasted for almost a century?
Russia’s diplomatic relations with the countries of the Arabian Peninsula have a history of more than 100 years. In 1891, the Russian Empire opened a consulate in Jeddah to protect the Russian Muslim pilgrims performing the Hajj.
As you have noted correctly, the Soviet Union was the first country to recognize the sovereignty of the young Saudi state, which was at the stage of shaping in 1926. I would like to note the big contribution to the development of the Soviet-Saudi relations made by the first Ambassador of the USSR to the Kingdom, Karim Hakimov. By the way, a Russian filmmaker is making a documentary film about him, entitled “Forgotten Pasha.” I hope that the picture hits the screens soon and we will be able to enjoy it.
Currently, Moscow sees Saudi Arabia the key state in the Arab-Muslim world. In recent years, cooperation between Russia and Saudi Arabia has been given a new impulse, which is based on the mutual desire of the of the two countries’ leaderships to develop cooperation in various fields. I mean economics, politics, and culture.
The largest Russian companies work closely with the Saudi fuel and energy flagship Saudi Aramco. Not to mention the partnership between the Russian Federation and the Kingdom in the OPEC + format.
By the way, the challenges that the world faces as the result of the outbreak of the global pandemic have brought our countries even closer together. Now, as you know, the issue of clinical trials and joint production of the Russian vaccine against coronavirus in KSA is being actively worked over.
In 2017, King Salman became the first Saudi Monarch to experience a state visit to Russia. Please elaborate on the pre-conditions of that historic visit. How did this visit contribute to a more robust and long-lasting commitment in this two-sided partnership?
State visits at the highest level usually indicate the achievements between the countries on a high level of development of the political, economic, and cultural ties, as well as personal contacts between the leaders of different countries and are accompanied by the signing of important treaties and bilateral documents.
Thanks to the efforts made by Russian and Saudi leaders, a number of agreements on cooperation in various fields were signed. The relations were brought to a new level. In particular, cooperation in such important areas for both countries as the fuel and energy complex has been intensified. New horizons were opened in terms of the investment activity.
In addition to the twenty agreements signed during the state visit of President Vladimir Putin to the Kingdom (2019), there were several tourism and cultural cooperation agreements completed. Given the rich cultural heritage of the two countries, how do you view the idea of collaborative projects focused on increasing cultural diplomacy between the Saudi and Russian nations?
Saudi Arabia has been recently closed to tourists. It was impossible for anyone except the nationals of the neighboring monarchies of the Persian Gulf to visit the country just to see its attractions. In October 2019, the Kingdom’s authorities allowed the issuance of tourist visas, which is a historical event. Russian citizens got a unique opportunity to visit a country that, most likely, none of their friends or relatives had ever visited.
Tourism is a fertile ground for strengthening cultural ties, a good source of income for the country, and a way for a person to see something new and discover unexplored horizons. Of course, I have a positive attitude towards the development of joint projects in this area and I consider them quite promising.
In 2019, during the Saudi-Russia Business Forum, the emphasis was placed on the collaboration of the two countries to achieve the goals of Vision 2030 along with the Russian strategic development plans. What do you see as Russia’s contribution to Vision 2030? What do you feel will be the role of the Kingdom in supporting Russia in achieving these development plans?
I have already partly mentioned upon those important fields, in which our countries actively interact. The Vision 2030 program aims at diversifying the economy of Saudi Arabia through investments, creation of modern centers of science, culture, tourism etc.
A unique opportunity opens for Russia to enter the Kingdom’s market and help our Saudi partners to develop atomic energy, chemical industry, science, as well as to provide a tourist flow of Russians interested in visiting KSA.
In its turn, Russia also seeks the implementation of our joint investment projects and the exchange of unique experience in various fields.
It is a widely known and appreciated truth that Russia has given the world some of the best minds, which has included writers, musicians, scientists, and doctors. From your extensive experience, what do you see as the potential of Saudi youth? Can you further discuss any scholarships that are offered by the Russian Universities to the Saudi students?
Saudi youth is very talented. In my opinion, young people in the Kingdom realize that they will be the ones to determine the future of their country. You can see that the Saudi young people are gaining knowledge in the top educational institutions around the world, diligently studying foreign languages, and promoting a healthy lifestyle.
The doors of the Russian universities are always open for the young Saudis. The Russian Embassy is in charge of this issue. The Saudi youth is mostly interested in mastering technical subjects in Russia. The rich experience of our country allows us to prepare highly qualified specialists in this area.
The author would like to express his sincere gratitude to Mr. Yury Medvedev and Mr. Andrey Brekhovskikh for organizing the interview, collaboration, and making this interview possible.
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