Saudi Arabia, U.S. agree to strengthen cooperation in tech, science

RIYADH, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia and the United States agreed on Friday to strengthen cooperation in the fields of 5G networks, cybersecurity, space exploration and public health, Al Arabiya News reported.

The agreements were made on the sidelines of U.S. President Joe Biden's first state visit to the kingdom, where he met with top Saudi officials to review the kingdom's defensive needs and the importance of global energy security.

In a statement after the meetings, Biden welcomed Saudi Arabia's fresh signing of the NASA-led Artemis Accords, an outer space exploration treaty, saying the United States "reaffirms its commitment to the responsible, peaceful, and sustainable exploration and use of outer space."

The U.S. president praised the role the kingdom played in supporting the UN cease-fire efforts in Yemen.

The visit in Saudi Arabia is the last destination of Biden's first Middle East tour as the U.S. president. The diplomatic tour, which started on Wednesday and is expected to end on Saturday, also covers Israel and the West Bank.

Biden will also attend a joint summit on Saturday with the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council, as well as the king of Jordan, the president of Egypt, and the prime minister of Iraq.