Saudi king to pay visit to Moscow on Thursday

Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz has voiced hope that his upcoming visit to Russia on Thursday would lead to stronger relations between the two countries and promote regional and international peace and security.

The Saudi monarch made the assertions at a Tuesday meeting of the Saudi Council of Ministers in Jeddah's Salaam Palace, according to the kingdom's official SPA news agency.

King Salman is slated to travel to Moscow for an official visit on Thursday at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"During the visit, bilateral relations -- and means of enhancing them -- will be discussed, along with regional and international issues of common concern," the SPA quoted an unnamed Saudi official as saying.

According to the same official, several agreements and memorandums of understanding are expected to be signed between the two countries during the king's visit to the Russian capital.