WASHINGTON, July 20, 2016 — Defense Secretary Ash Carter today thanked his Saudi counterpart for the close partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed their strong relationship, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said.

Carter and Deputy Crown Prince and Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman met on the margins of a defense ministerial meeting of nations involved in the effort to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.

“This meeting provided an opportunity for the two leaders to continue discussions from their bilateral meeting held at the Pentagon in June,” Cook said. They discussed the fight against ISIL and the coalition's recent results, Saudi Arabia's military capability development and regional security issues, he added.

Carter underscored the U.S. commitment to the enduring defense partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia, the press secretary said.