RIYADH, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- The meeting of the Group of Strategic Vision "Russia-Islamic World" opened on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia's city of Jeddah, during which Russia and Islamic states vowed to strengthen cooperation in various fields.
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud said in a speech delivered on his behalf by Governor of Mecca Prince Khalid Al Faisal that he hailed the deep-rooted Saudi-Russian ties that have exceeded 95 years and witnessed qualitative leaps during recent years, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The development of relations led to signing several agreements in economic, cultural and defense fields, he added.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, for his part, highlighted the dedication of his country to developing friendly ties with Islamic states, according to a speech delivered on his behalf by Rustam Minnikhanov, president of Russia's federal subject Tatarstan and head of the Group.
The Group includes 33 state and public figures from 27 Islamic countries, including former prime ministers, former ministers of foreign affairs and many religious figures.
Saudi Arabia hosts the meeting for the second time after its fourth session in Jeddah in 2008. Enditem