Saudi Arabia and Canada will restore all diplomatic relations, Global Affairs Canada and the Saudi Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday, after disagreements in 2018 over human rights in the kingdom.
The decision was taken after talks last year between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum in Bangkok, the Saudi ministry said in a statement. a statement.
“It was decided to restore the level of diplomatic relations with Canada to its previous level,” he said.
Relations between the two countries had been suspended since 2018.
Saudi Arabia then announced the expulsion of the Canadian ambassador, recalled his own, forced the departure of thousands of students and froze any new trade or investment with Canada.
The kingdom denounced the “dictates” of Canada, which had criticized the repression of opponents of the regime.
Ottawa had notably called for the release of arrested Saudi human rights activists.
On Wednesday, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said the two countries would “appoint new ambassadors” and a statement from her ministry said Jean-Philippe Linteau would be the new envoy to the kingdom.
This announcement by Riyadh is the latest in a series of rapprochements between Saudi Arabia and other countries, including Iran, the rival regional power, a few weeks ago, then Syria.
The kingdom is also trying to deploy efforts to obtain a ceasefire in Sudan where two generals have been at war since April 15.