Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said that the relations between his country and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia represent a strategic dimension due to the prestigious position of the Kingdom at regional and international level. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) before his arrival in Riyadh today, the Australian Foreign Minister pointed to the development of relations between the two countries at several levels, especially during recent years. He also said that there are more than 4,000 Australian citizens living and working in the Kingdom and there are nearly 7,000 students receiving their education in Australian universities and educational institutions. The Australian Foreign Minister praised the development of trade, economic and investment relations between the two countries, saying that the Kingdom is the second largest trading partner of Australia in the Arabian Gulf region. During 2008, the trade exchange between the two countries reached approximately $3.4 billion, he added. The minister said that during his visit he will hold talks with Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Abdullah bin Ahmed Zainal Ali Reza, Minister of Commerce and Industry; and a number of senior officials. The talks will focus on ways of enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries.
