Jubeir emphasized how the relationship was multi-faceted and encompassed several areas including strategic, political, military and economic fields.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said on Tuesday that Saudi-US relations are strong in all areas and that his country would respect the decision of the American people. He also said he looks forward and “optimistic” on cooperating with the US President Donald Trump’s administration.

Jubeir emphasized how the relationship was multi-faceted and encompassed several areas including strategic, political, military and economic fields.

“The positions that President Trump has articulated are ones that we are completely in accordance with: restoring America’s presence in the world is something we – and all of the American – welcome because the lack of an American engagement leads to a vacuum,” Jubeir said during a conference on Tuesday.

Key among the agreements between Riyadh and Washington is the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and the containment of Iran’s unstable activities in the region.

“The President Trump has stated as his objective the defeat of Daesh. We and every civilized country in the world support this goal. And we look forward to working with the Administration on realizing this objective,” Jubeir said.

“He has spoken about containing Iran and limiting its ability to cause mischief and making sure that Iran abide to the letter with the Nuclear agreement that was signed. Exactly this is our position. And we look forward to working with them in this area,” the Saudi foreign minister added.

Full text of Jubeir’s statement below:

Let me begin by saying that the US- Saudi relationship is a very long relationship and a very strategic relationship. It is very multi-faceted. We have very strong ties and have had for decades in the area of security, in the military field, in the political field, in the economic field in the investment field, and the people-people relationship. Half of the Saudi young men and women who are studying abroad in the government of scholarships and their numbers is roughly around 200 thousands- half of them are studying in the United States. Their experience there has been phenomenal. It has been positive. They have acquired skills and knowledge that they will bring back to their country in order to further and advance our nation.

In terms of the statements you mentioned which belongs to General Flynn. General Flynn is an individual we know from his time Defense Intelligence Agency and from his time as Central Command. He is an American patriot. He is a man concerned about the security of the United States. And he is a man who believes in working very closely with American Allies, including the United States. So again I personally look forward to working with General Flynn and with all our colleagues in the American Administration. I have no doubts whatsoever that the—that our ability to overcome the challenges will be tremendously enhanced the closer we work together.

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