- Canadian-Saudi relations
Canadian-Saudi relations are the relations between
Canada and theKingdom of Saudi Arabia .Official relations
In 2000, Canadian Prime Minister
Jean Chrétien made a state visit to Saudi Arabia.Economic relation
Saudi Arabia is Canada's largest trade partner among the seven countries of the
Arabian Peninsula , totalling more than $2,000,000,000 in trade in 2005 [http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/middle_east/saudi_arabia_relations-en.asp] , nearly double its value in 2002. [http://www.mfat.govt.nz/foreign/regions/mideast/meupdate/meupdatejunejul03.html]Canada chiefly imports petroleum and oil from Saudi Arabia, while exporting manufactured goods such as aircraft, cars, machinery and optical instruments.
Other relations
In March, 2008,
Mohamed Kohail became famous, as he is a Canadian man who may be the first westerner in decades to be executed in Saudi Arabia. He has Canadian citizenship. The Saudis plan to behead him in public. The Canadian government is debating on whether or not to appeal for clemency. Recently the Canadian government announced that they would no longer come to the aid of their citizens who encounter legal trouble in foreign countries. This event may cause difficulties for the future of Canadian-Saudi relations.Saudi Arabia is the 10th highest contributor to Canada's population of foreign students, with approximately 700 students chiefly studying medicine. [http://www.mfat.govt.nz/foreign/regions/mideast/meupdate/meupdatejunejul03.html]
Approximately 8,000 Canadians reside in Saudi Arabia. [http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/middle_east/saudi_arabia_relations-en.asp]
In 2000, Canadian William Sampson was arrested by the Saudi government for complicity in a suicide bombing in
Riyadh , while maintaining his innocence. He was imprisoned and tortured, and later criticized the Canadian government for not coming to his aid. He was freed by British intervention after enduring torture for two years.See also
*
Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Ottawa External links
* [http://www.mofa.gov.sa/detail.asp?InServiceID=223&intemplatekey=MainPage Saudi Embassy in Ottawa site]
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