UPDATE 2 - Saudi crown prince meets Italian prime minister to strengthen ties

​​​​​​​UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS; CHANGES DECK

By Anadolu staff

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held talks on Sunday with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during her visit to the kingdom.

Discussions between the two sides dealt with bilateral relations and ways to support and strengthen them across various fields, as well as regional and international developments of mutual interest, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Meloni arrived in Jeddah on Saturday where she was welcomed by Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, deputy governor of the Mecca province.

Bin Salman later received Meloni at the winter retreat in AlUla, western Saudi Arabia, said the Foreign Ministry.

Meloni "was introduced to Saudi Arabia's authentic heritage and culture,” reported the Saudi Press Agency SPA.

Following the meeting, the two sides signed an agreement to establish a strategic partnership council between the Saudi and Italian governments.

Her visit came after Saudi Arabia and Italy signed a pact earlier this month to boost energy cooperation, according to SPA.

Several agreements are expected to be signed during Meloni’s visit in such areas as defense, energy cooperation, sports, and the preservation of cultural and archaeological heritage.

On Monday, Meloni will travel to Bahrain, making her the first Italian head of government to visit the Gulf country.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi and Rania Abu Shamala