Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, second deputy premier and minister of defense, kicked off his visit to the US on Monday by holding talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry at the latter's residence in Washington. US Department of State spokesperson Mark Toner said the meeting focussed on developments in Yemen and Syria, and the importance of combatting terrorism. Kerry hosted Prince Muhammad at his residence in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington. During his stops in Washington and New York, Prince Muhammad — who is the main architect of a wide-ranging Vision 2030 plan released in April to diversify the Kingdom's economy away from oil — is also expected to hold discussions with senior bankers and business executives. Meanwhile, Saudi Ambassador to the US Prince Abdullah Turki said the Deputy Crown Prince's visit comes as an extension of the historical close relations between the Kingdom and the US. He highlighted the current defense cooperation between the Kingdom and the US and the interest of both sides to promote it in view of current regional and international challenges. Prince Turki stressed the Kingdom's commitment to combatting terrorism and extremism, and noted the Kingdom's participation in the international coalition against Daesh, the Saudi-led Islamic Alliance to combat terrorism, the Kingdom's efforts to maintain security and stability in the region, its efforts to restore legitimacy and peace in Yemen and its efforts to curb Iranian interference in the affairs of the countries in the region. The ambassador explained that the visit of the Deputy Crown Prince includes meetings with senior US officials and representatives of the private sector.
