Saudi Ambassador to the US Prince Turki Al-Faisal discussed on Tuesday reforms in the Kingdom and the Saudi-US partnership in remarks at the World Affairs Council of Wilmington, Delaware. Prince Turki outlined a number of reforms that the Kingdom has undertaken recently under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz and his Crown Prince. On the economic front, he said Saudi Arabia's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) has increased foreign investment and opened up over $650 billion in investment opportunities. "It has also taken steps to diversify its economy away from oil and is growing industries such as information technology, financial services and tourism," Prince Turki noted. On a social level, he said the Kingdom has undertaken a program to modernize its educational system with an emphasis on critical thinking, math and sciences. "And politically, Saudi Arabia has worked to expand citizen participation, including holding elections to municipal councils," he noted. “If you look at the Kingdom today, it is a country that is moving forward at great speed economically and socially, and even politically – despite what some people say,” Prince Turki said. "Because Saudi Arabia is part of a global community, efforts to benefit Saudis also benefit those with whom the Kingdom interacts. This is especially true of the United States, with whom the Kingdom shares a longstanding, mutually beneficial relationship," the ambassador remarked. “We've gone through difficult periods and easy periods, and it will continue to be this way,” Prince Turki said of the Saudi-US relationship. “But this is the nature of any relationship, whether between friends or between countries. Ultimately, we always return to seeing the real reason why we stick it out with one another: Quite simply, we work well together.” The relationship is one that will continue to develop as the two countries work together to address today's many global challenges. “Saudi Arabia and the United States must cooperate with each other to redefine our relationship as world events evolve,” Prince Turki said. “As Ambassador to your great country, I am privileged to contribute to developing this relationship.” During his visit to Wilmington, Prince Turki was also presented with a key to the city by State Representative Joseph DiPinto.
