CUSTODIAN of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and US President Donald Trump signed at Al-Yamama Palace the Saudi-US Joint Strategic Vision Declaration. In the presence of the two leaders, the signing ceremony of a number of agreements and investment opportunities was held.

The agreements and investment opportunities amounted to more than $280 billion that would contribute to transferring knowledge and creating hundreds of thousands of job opportunities in both countries. Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, second deputy premier and minister of defense, and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson exchanged two memorandums to modernize and revamp Saudi defense capabilities.

An agreement of partnership to manufacture Black Hawk choppers in the Kingdom was exchanged by Prince Dr. Turki Bin Saud Bin Mohammed, chairman of Board of Directors of Saudi Corporation for Development and Technological Investment, and president and chief executive officer of Lockheed Martin Corporation Marillyn A. Hewson.

Four agreement in the field of military industries were exchanged. A memorandum of understanding in the field of technology, an agreement in the field of power generation, two agreements in the field of manufacturing high value products, two agreements in the fields of technology and infrastructure, an agreement to establish an ethylene plant in the US were also exchanged. Speaking to journalists after the ceremony to exchange agreements, Trump said it was a “tremendous day.” So I would like to thank all of the people of Saudi Arabia.”

Earlier, welcoming Trump, King Salman said, “I am confident that the Saudi-US talks will further promote and cement the strategic ties between the two countries in various fields.”

The King said the talks would also enhance cooperation on a number of issues on the regional and international arenas to promote world peace and security. King Salman said he was hopeful that the GCC-US summit would strengthen ties and generate common efforts toward achieving peace, security and stability in the region.

“The Arab-Islamic and US summit is being held under grave challenges. We hope that this historic summit will establish a new partnership to face extremism and terrorism,” the King said, hoping that the Arab-Islamic and American summit will also spread the values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence and help enhance security, stability and cooperation.

Trump tweeted saying it was great to be in Riyadh. At a ceremony at Al-Yamama Palace, the King decorated Trump with the King Abdulaziz Medal, the nation’s highest civilian honor. The King declared that Trump was being honored for “his quest to enhance security and stability in the region and around the world.” When Trump arrived for his official welcome, more than a dozen horses flanked the presidential limousine. Trumpets played and soldiers stood at attention as the president walked in. As he arrived, Trump told the King the spectacle was “very impressive.”

Trump was joined by first lady Melania Trump, his daughter Ivanka and his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner. Billboards featuring images of Trump and the King and emblazoned with the motto “Together we prevail,” dotted Riyadh’s highways, and Trump’s hotel was bathed in red, white and blue lights and, at times, an image of the president’s face. Trump paid a visit to the King Abdulaziz Historical Center, a cultural and civilization landmark highlighting the prominent history of the Arabian Peninsula. — SG