From Genoa to Jeddah: Italian vessel docks to grand welcome

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia plays a crucial role in achieving peace in the Middle East, Denmark’s foreign minister told Arab News during an official visit on Sunday, the first such visit in nine years.

Lars Lokke Rasmussen commended Saudi Arabia’s continuous diplomatic efforts in Palestine, Lebanon and Syrian Arab Republic.

He noted “the very crucial … and constructive role Saudi Arabia is playing in the entire region” at a critical time that has seen a ceasefire implemented in Gaza, a new president elected in Lebanon, and a new regime come to power in the Syrian Arab Republic.

“There is a real possibility that we could have peace in Syria, but also (to) a large extent a more … peaceful region,” Rasmussen added.

The foreign minister underlined that his visit to the Kingdom is driven by two key objectives: to recognize Saudi Arabia’s constructive role in the region and to strengthen bilateral ties across various sectors such as trade and investment.

Rasmussen’s visit is the first by a Danish foreign minister to Saudi Arabia in over nine years.

“Finally, I’m here, and I’m very thrilled about it for many good reasons,” he told Arab News.

His visit coincided with that of the Syrian Arab Republic’s President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, who was in Riyadh on his first official visit since he led the overthrow of the Assad regime late last year.

Speaking of the country’s new leader, Rasmussen expressed he was “happy” with the developments that took place in Damascus, adding that “Saudi Arabia is a very important player in all this” and that “there’s a real possibility of a long-lasting peace and a much more stable region.

“Of course, we recognize that there are dilemmas, given the past of the new leader, so to speak …

“Should we pay attention to his curriculum vitae, or should we pay attention to the speeches he’s giving now? … I think the jury’s still out, but we want to give him the benefit of the doubt,” Rasmussen said.

Denmark intends to engage with the new Syrian Arab Republic government, he said, explaining that as a foreign minister, he has introduced humanitarian assistance packages to the Syrian Arab Republic following the announcement of the government.

Rasmussen said the aid was introduced for two reasons: to assist in a humanitarian sense and to send a message from Denmark to Syrian Arab Republic that the former was ready and willing to engage.

During his visit, the foreign minister is set to meet with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan to discuss geopolitical relations further.

On the topic of the recent ceasefire in Palestine, the Danish official stressed that a two-state solution is the “only solution” to the reconstruction of Gaza, addressing statements made by other world leaders that the solution cannot be “exporting the Palestinian problem to neighboring countries.”

Rasmussen said: “I support a two-state solution … that is a consensus decision in the Danish parliament and has been our position for many, many years.

“And that’s why we have joined the global coalition behind the two-state solution,” he added, referring to the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.

“And I want to commend my good colleague in Saudi Arabia for taking this initiative together with the European Union. I think that is, at the end of the day, the only suitable solution.”

He added that a two-state solution is also in Israel’s best interest.

“You can’t solve that problem without creating a sovereign Palestine state, and any idea of just exporting the Palestinian problem to neighboring countries … It’s not doable,” he said.

Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, the Palestinian Authority and the Arab League recently released a joint statement in response to US President Donald Trump, rejecting his proposal that regional leaders take in Palestinians from Gaza.

“Jordan (has) already done tremendously good work and shown a lot of generosity hosting many, many Palestinian refugees,” Rasmussen said.

“Now we need the ceasefire, and then we need a proper discussion about reconstruction in Gaza,” he said.

The official stressed that the Palestinian Authority must also be involved in the solution.

He proposed that the EU aid the Palestinian Authority “in order to give them the needed competencies to take upon themselves this task.”

The foreign minister also addressed the status of relations between Denmark and the US following Trump’s attempts to acquire the Danish territory of Greenland.

“I think the narrative that all Greenlanders should prefer to become Americans is not a true narrative,” he said.

Despite these challenges, Rasmussen said that he and Trump “have an excellent working relationship.

“Frankly … and I don’t think it will offend him, he’s kind of (a) different politician. But we managed to overcome that,” he said.

He added that despite the “America first” policy and “tariffs” in Trump’s first term, Danish-American relations actually managed to grow stronger, with the US becoming Denmark’s largest export market.

“We have awaited his inauguration,” he said.

“Equally as important (are) the bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Denmark and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where I really think there’s huge potential for further cooperation.

“I really want to recognize the development in Saudi Arabia, which is quite impressive.”

While Denmark is a small country, it is home to world-class companies with strongholds in green energy, food security and water management, Rasmussen said.

During his trip, the official will also meet with Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistics Services Saleh Al-Jasser, with whom he plans to sign a memorandum of understanding, the details of which have not yet been disclosed.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed ways to support the security and stability of the Syrian Arab Republic during interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa’s first foreign trip since taking office.

The leaders discussed aspects of relations between their countries and opportunities to enhance them in various fields. They also reviewed developments in regional situations and efforts made in regard to them.

President al-#Sharaa in the 1st official visit to #KSAhttps://t.co/wu17EyxVDC pic.twitter.com/NtUfsr7v0f

— SANAEnglishOfficial (@SANAEnOfficial) February 2, 2025

The crown prince congratulated Al-Sharaa on his recent appointment and wished him success in achieving the hopes and aspirations of the Syrian people.

The interim president said Saudi Arabia was committed to supporting his country after meeting Prince Mohammed: “We held a long meeting during which we felt and heard a genuine desire to support Syria in building its future,” Al-Sharaa said in a statement on Telegram.

Military commanders appointed Al-Sharaa interim president weeks after militant forces overran Damascus.

Last month, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, visited Damascus and said the Kingdom was engaged in talks with the US and European partners to help lift economic sanctions imposed on the Syrian Arab Republic that have left the country’s economy decimated.