The inaugural visit of Saudi Arabia's King Salman Abdulaziz Al Saud to Malaysia has been described as a new era in Malaysia-Saudi Arabia relations.

Head of the Cultural Mission at the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia here, Dr Zayed Al-Harithi said the visit of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques reflected His Majesty's interest to enhance strong ties with Malaysia.

"We are now looking to further strengthen the relationship between our countries especially in education and scientific research," he said in his speech at an ice-breaking event between the Malaysian media and the Saudi Arabian media.

Zayed also welcomed Malaysian National News Agency's (BERNAMA) attendance to the event, which was represented by its General Manager, Datuk Zulkefli Salleh, Editor-in-Chief, Datuk Zakaria Abd Wahab and Deputy Editor-in-Chief (Domestic News Service), Datuk Mokhtar Hussain.

Meanwhile, Zulkefli in his speech thanked Saudi Arabia's Cultural Mission for organising the event, saying it would foster closer relationship between the two countries and the ummah.

The event was held in conjunction with the four-day state visit of King Salman Abdulaziz to Malaysia, his first visit to this country since ascending the throne on Jan 23, 2015. --Bernama