Saudi Arabia and Canada announced the restoration of diplomatic relations "on the basis of mutual respect and common interests" after five years of rift.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. Photo: Reuters
The decision to restore ties came after discussions between Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman last November, on the sidelines of the Asian Economic Cooperation Forum summit. -Pacific Ocean (APEC) in Bangkok, according to a statement.
Saudi Arabia announced it was severing diplomatic relations with Canada in August 8, after Ottawa called on the kingdom to release detained civil rights activists.
The foreign ministries of both countries have issued almost identical statements, announcing that they are restoring diplomatic relations to "previous levels".
Canada added that it has appointed Jean-Philippe Linteau as its ambassador to Riyadh. A Canadian government source familiar with the deal said that punitive trade measures would be lifted after the deal.
The source also called Saudi Arabia an "important global player" in recent years. They mentioned the country's role in evacuating Canadian citizens from Sudan last month.
In August 8, 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 a "blatant interference" in the country's internal affairs.
Later that year, Saudi Arabia became the focus of Western criticism after the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at its consulate in Turkey.
Trung Kien (according to Reuters)
