Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba had a phone conversation with his Saudi colleague Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.

Dmytro Kuleba suggested that for the first time in 11 years, online political consultations resumed between the foreign ministries of Ukraine and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud welcomed the offer and agreed to begin preparations for the consultations.

The Parties paid special attention to discussing the development of trade and investment between Ukraine and Saudi Arabia. The foreign ministers agreed that during the COVID-19 pandemic, economies and businesses need support, and every crisis also brings opportunities for development. According to Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Saudi Arabia's economic cooperation with Ukraine has great potential.

"Ukraine expects a new impetus to trade and investment with Saudi Arabia. I am convinced that the full uncovering of the potential of trade and economic cooperation will bring considerable benefits to our countries," said Dmytro Kuleba.

The ministers emphasized they expected positive consequences of visa-free travel for Saudi nationals to Ukraine for the purposes of expanding business, cultural and interpersonal ties between the two friendly countries. They also discussed possible steps to further simplify the procedure for entering the Kingdom for certain categories of Ukrainian citizens.

The Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia also responded positively to the invitation of the Foreign Minister of Ukraine to visit our country. Dmytro Kuleba confirmed the invitation of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky to His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz and His Highness Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman to visit Ukraine and assured that the invitation would be considered after the lifting of existing quarantine restrictions in connection with COVID-19 pandemic.

For reference: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of Ukraine's important partners in the Gulf region. The total volume of trade in goods with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2019 amounted to almost 920 million US dollars.

The Parties seek to develop mutually beneficial cooperation in the aviation and agro-industrial spheres.

On September 28, 2019, the Government of the Kingdom introduced multiple tourist visas for citizens of 49 countries, including Ukraine. On August 1, 2020, Ukraine introduced a visa-free regime for citizens of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.