At the very beginning of his speech, he announced that this anniversary would be his last in Germany, as his tenure as Ambassador is coming to an end. 
Diplomatic relations between the Kingdom and Germany have existed for 71 years. In his address, the Ambassador emphasised the close ties between Saudi Arabia and Germany in economic, defence, and security matters. Saudi Arabia is the largest economy in the Arab world, and Germany ranks among its most important import partners, with a steadily growing volume of trade. As the world’s largest oil producer, Saudi Arabia is increasingly focusing on nuclear and renewable energy as part of its “Vision 2030” strategy. A musical programme provided the evening’s entertainment, and, of course, traditional Arabian delicacies were not to be missed.