KABUL - President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai has underlined the need for expanding strategic relations between Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia, the Presidential Palace in Kabul said on Monday.

Currently on a visit to the holy land to perform Umrah, Ahmadzai met Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Defence Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud in Riyadh on Sunday.

They discussed enhanced strategic cooperation, current problems in the Islamic world and their solutions, the Saudi role in Afghanistan’s peace and stability, a statement from Ahmadzai’s office said.

Economic issues, Afghan traders’ problems in Saudi Arabia proper facilities for pilgrims also figured at the meeting, during which Ahmadzai had thanked Riyadh for cooperating with Kabul.

Being a reliable friend, Saudi Arabia could play an important role in ensuring peace in Afghanistan within the framework of regional cooperation, the president believed.

About regional economic cooperation, he said Afghanistan wanted to have deep relations with Saudi Arabia.

In response, Al Saud said his country respected Afghanistan as an important Islamic state and wanted to improve ties with it. Regional stability was the most important need, he said, promising Riyadh would take all steps to ensure peace in Afghanistan. (Pajhwok)