WASHINGTON, Nov 19 (KUNA) -- US President Donald Trump has designated Saudi Arabia as a non-NATO strategy ally, a major decision within the relations between Washington and Riyadh, coinciding with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's visit to the White House.
"I am pleased to announce that we are taking our military cooperation to even greater heights by formally designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, which is something that is very important to them," Trump said during a dinner banquet held in honor of Prince Mohammad bin Salman, who is also the Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia.
Trump asserted importance of the strategic defense agreement signed with Saudi Arabia, saying the two countries would upgrade military coordination to higher levels.
Trump and Prince Mohammad bin Salman have finalized a number of agreements boosting economic and defense partnership.
The White House said Trump approved a major defense sale package, including future F-35 deliveries and nearly 300 American tanks, to Saudi Arabia.
Both countries also signed a Critical Minerals Framework, deepening collaboration and aligning national strategies to diversify critical mineral supply chains.
The US and Saudi Arabia also signed a Joint Declaration on the Completion of Negotiations on Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation, which builds the legal foundation for a decades-long, multi-billion-dollar nuclear energy partnership with the Kingdom.
Prince Mohammad bin Salman's visit followed Trump's visit to the Kingdom last May. (end)
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