By Jeon Han, Kim Minji and Lee Hana 

President Moon Jae-in and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman on June 26 held talks at Cheong Wa Dae on strengthening their partnership in Saudi Vision 2030 and expanding cooperation in all areas of their bilateral relationship. 

Saudi Vision 2030 is a plan to reduce the Arab nation's dependence on oil and develop its public service sector. 

In a joint news release, both leaders recognized their bilateral partnership as strategic and expressed satisfaction that their cooperation has expanded to encompass diverse areas including health care and medical services, information and communications technology (ICT), culture and education in tandem with the 2030 plan. The two sides also agreed to accelerate collaboration in these areas by establishing Vision Realization Offices in Seoul and Riyadh.

President Moon affirmed Seoul's support for the plan, saying the two sides were expanding cooperation beyond construction and energy into fields such as ICT, smart infrastructure and new industries well as defense and related sectors, welfare, medicine and education. 

“With your visit, I hope cooperation between our countries will expand even further for our future prosperity and coexistence,” he said. 
 
The crown prince said, "During my visit to Korea, a number of agreements will be signed that will further expand cooperation between our two countries. I look forward to increases in bilateral trade and commerce." 

Following the talks, the two countries signed agreements with a combined value of USD 8.3 billion. 

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