This photo combination shows Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (left) and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. (PHOTOS / AP & AFP)
RIYADH – Canada and Saudi Arabia have decided to restore diplomatic relations and appoint new ambassadors.
The Saudi foreign ministry and Global Affairs Canada, which manages the country's diplomatic and consular relations, issued separate statements confirming this on Wednesday.
"Canada has appointed a new ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jean-Philippe Linteau," Global Affairs Canada said, adding that the move was based on mutual respect and common interests.
The Saudi foreign ministry said the decision was made based on the two sides' wishes to restore ties on the basis of mutual respect and common interests.
The move follows discussions between Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the APEC summit in the Thai capital of Bangkok in November 2022, said the ministry.
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Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador from Canada in 2018 after a dispute over Canada's demand for Saudi Arabia to release detained activists.