Saudi Arabia and Canada agree to restore full diplomatic relations

Saudi Arabia and Canada announced the restoration of diplomatic relations "on the basis of mutual respect and common interests" after a five-year rift.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. Photo: Reuters

The decision to restore relations came after discussions between Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman last November on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Bangkok, according to a statement.

Saudi Arabia announced it was severing diplomatic relations with Canada in August 2018, after Ottawa called on the kingdom to release detained civil rights activists.

The foreign ministries of both countries issued nearly identical statements, announcing that they were restoring diplomatic relations to "previous levels."

Canada added that it had appointed Jean-Philippe Linteau as ambassador to Riyadh. A Canadian government source familiar with the deal said that punitive trade measures would be lifted as a result of the deal.

The source also called Saudi Arabia a “major global player” in recent years, citing the country’s role in evacuating Canadians from Sudan last month.

In August 2018, Saudi Arabia expelled the Canadian ambassador and froze trade after Canada called for the release of detained activists.

Riyadh described Canada's statement at the time as "blatant interference" in its internal affairs.

Later that year, Saudi Arabia became the focus of Western criticism following the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the country's consulate in Türkiye.

Trung Kien (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/a-rap-xe-ut-va-canada-khoi-phuc-quan-he-ngoai-giao-toan-dien-post249053.html