After five years, Saudi Arabia and Canada have agreed to restore full diplomatic ties.
The move comes after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum in Bangkok in November 2022.
The desire of both sides to restore relations is based on mutual respect and common interests, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“Canada has appointed a new ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jean-Philippe Linteau,” the Canadian foreign ministry said in a statement.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces that in light of what has been discussed between HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, it has been decided to restore the level of diplomatic relations with Canada to its previous state.
In August 2018, Saudi Arabia expelled Canada’s ambassador, recalled its own ambassador from Ottawa, and froze all new trade.