![\"Saudi](\"https:\/\/english.thesunrisetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Saudi-Prince.jpg\")
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Prime Minister Theresa May and Queen Elizabeth as he launched his landmark visit to the UK.\nSaudi Arabia and Britain will use the visit build a broader economic relationship, and improve security and defense ties.
\nPrince Mohammed and his delegation met May and senior ministers at Downing Street to launch a UK-Saudi \u201cStrategic Partnership Council.\u201d
\nThe initiative will encourage wide-ranging economic reforms in Saudi Arabia and foster cooperation on issues such as education and culture, as well as defense and security.
\nEarlier the crown prince had lunch with the Queen at Buckingham Palace, a rare gesture usually reserved for heads of state. He was scheduled to dine with Prince Charles and Prince William later in the day.
\nMay defended Britain\u2019s defense and security ties with Saudi Arabia in parliament, saying close cooperation had helped save the lives of hundreds of people.
\n\u201cThe link that we have with Saudi Arabia is historic, it is an important one, and it has saved the lives of potentially hundreds of people in this country,\u201d the prime minister said in response to a question from opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn.
\nShe said that the UK has had a \u201clongstanding and historic relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and that will continue.
\nUnder the crown prince, Saudi Arabia \u201cis reforming, is changing, is giving more rights to women,\u201d May said, adding that the UK will \u201cstand alongside\u201d the Kingdom to deliver on his vision.
\nForeign minister Boris Johnson led the welcoming party for Prince Mohammed on his arrival late on Tuesday.
\nFor Britain, the visit is a chance to cement trading partnerships as it approaches Brexit and an exit from the European Union. It is also looking to play a key role exporting services to the Gulf\u2019s largest economy as Saudi Arabia pushes through its ambitious Vision 2030 plan to diversify the economy away from oil.
\nBritain is also hoping to land the stock market listing of Saudi Aramco, expected to be the world\u2019s largest IPO.
\n\u201cWe would like the Aramco share option to be issued in the United Kingdom and we will continue to suggest the City would be the best place for it,\u201d junior foreign office minister Alistair Burt told parliament.
\nLater this month Prince Mohammed will visit the United States, which also wants the lucrative listing.
\nThe three-day UK visit is also expected to include a meeting with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, as well as lunch with May at the prime minister\u2019s rural retreat, Chequers, and talks with Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson.<\/p>\n