Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hossein Amirabdollahian, meeting with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Beijing today.
Beijing: The Iranian and Saudi Arabian foreign ministers met here today amidst an announcement by China that it was ready to “keep playing a mediating role, support both sides in building trust, dispelling misgivings and realizing good neighbourliness, and contribute China’s wisdom and strength to promoting security, stability and development in the Middle East”.
In the meeting, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed on the exchange of preparatory delegations for the reopening of the embassies and consulates of the two countries, the activation of joint agreements and the exchange of delegations in order to develop relations in various fields, including in economy, trade and investment, the holding of negotiations between expert delegations for the resumption of direct flights, facilitating the issuance of visas for citizens of the two countries, including Umrah visas, as well as bolstering cooperation in international forums.
The Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hossein Amirabdollahian, tweeted that the meeting with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, was “positive” and had the resumption of official Tehran-Riyadh diplomatic ties, resumption of Umrah Hajj, trade and economic cooperation, reopening of embassies and consulates, emphasis on stability, lasting security and development in the region, in the agenda.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran stated that the bilateral meeting and talks between the foreign ministers were held in a very positive and constructive atmosphere in Beijing.
In the meeting, Amirabdollahian emphasized that the official relations between Tehran and Riyadh “officially resumed as of today”.
As per the discussions held and the messages exchanged between the King of Saudi Arabia and the President of Iran, the leaders of the two countries are determined to develop and deepen bilateral relations, Amirabdollahian said. He expressed satisfaction that relations between “the two neighbouring, friendly and brotherly countries” have returned to normal, emphasizing that Iran was ready to develop relations with Saudi Arabia in all areas of interest.
Amirabdollahian stressed the necessity of developing relations in economic and commercial fields as well as investment, announcing Iran’s readiness to hold a session of the joint economic commission between the two countries as the growth of economic relations and mutual investments can help strengthen relations. He said that one of the important areas of cooperation was transit and that Iran’s geopolitical position provides Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf countries with a unique opportunity for commercial cooperation with the countries north of Iran.
The Saudi Foreign Minister also expressed his satisfaction with the holding of the meeting and the resumption of official relations between the two countries in the holy month of Ramadan, describing it as a basis for blessings for the two countries and other regional states.
Referring to the opening of a new page in the relations between the two countries and the new prospect in the friendly and fraternal relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, bin Farhan emphasized the readiness of his country to implement the existing agreements between the two countries. He welcomed the exchange of high-ranking delegations between the two countries to that effect and said the new relations between the two countries created a new positive atmosphere in the entire region, and that Saudi Arabia was ready to strengthen the positive atmosphere in regional relations with the help and cooperation of Iran.
China said upon the proposal of Saudi Arabia and Iran, it today received the foreign ministers of both countries, for a meeting in Beijing.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang met with the two foreign ministers and thereafter the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Iran announced the resumption of diplomatic ties and signed a joint statement. Both noted that they will continue to advance the process to improve bilateral relations in accordance with the roadmap and timeline identified in their Beijing talks in March and thanked China for its important role in facilitating the talks.
“China welcomes and applauds the continued steps Saudi Arabia and Iran have taken to improve their relations. We are ready to keep playing a mediating role, support both sides in building trust, dispelling misgivings and realizing good neighbourliness, and contribute China’s wisdom and strength to promoting security, stability and development in the Middle East,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said here today.
Reacting to today’s meeting between the Iranian and Saudi foreign ministers, Beijing said the further improvement of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran “fully shows that regional countries have the will and ability to take the initiative for regional peace and development”. China said the recent interactions in the Middle East also showed that peace and development are what people aspire for and what the trend is leading to.
Beijing exhorted the international community to help Middle East countries resolve differences and enhance solidarity. “Acts to stoke tensions, create divisions and divide and rule and other colonial and hegemonic practices will be opposed by people all over the world,” it stated.
Ning said that as a “good friend and a good partner, China will as always respect Middle East countries, who are the true masters of their future”.
She asserted: “We are a force for reconciliation, peace and harmony in the Middle East. China will implement the Global Security Initiative, the Global Development Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative with Middle East countries, promote security, stability, development, prosperity, inclusiveness and harmony in the Middle East.”
– global bihari bureau
