Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia and Iran signed today a joint statement in China regarding the resumption of their bilateral relations and consular work.
The joint statement, issued at the conclusion of talks between Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Beijing, emphasized the importance of following up on the implementation of the March 10 Beijing Agreement and its activation in a way that enhances mutual trust, expands the fields of cooperation and helps create security, stability, and prosperity in the region.
The two sides affirmed their keenness to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations and activate the security cooperation deal signed in 2001 between the two countries.
The two sides have also agreed to reopen their diplomatic missions within the agreed period and will proceed with the necessary measures to ensure that happens in Riyadh and Tehran, as well as in Jeddah and Mashhad, where their general consulates were previously stationed. Technical teams on both sides will discuss ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries, including the resumption of flights and mutual visits by official delegations and private sector members and facilitating visas to the citizens of both countries, including for Umrah.
The two sides expressed their aspiration to intensify consultative meetings and discuss ways of cooperation to achieve more positive prospects for relations, given the natural resources and economic potential that the two countries possess, and great opportunities to achieve mutual benefits, the joint statement added. They also affirmed their readiness to do everything possible to overcome any obstacles facing the promotion of cooperation between them.
They also agreed to enhance their cooperation in every field that would help achieve security and stability in the region and serve the interests of its countries and peoples, the statement said.
At the end of the meeting, the ministers expressed their thanks and appreciation to the Chinese side for hosting this meeting and to the Swiss government for its endeavors and appreciated efforts to take care of Saudi and Iranian interests.
The Saudi Foreign Minister renewed the invitation extended to his Iranian counterpart to visit the Kingdom and hold a bilateral meeting in the capital, Riyadh.
For his part, the Iranian Foreign Minister welcomed the invitation and in return extended an invitation to the Saudi Foreign Minister to visit Iran for a bilateral meeting in the capital, Tehran. Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah welcomed the invitation. (QNA)
Source: Qatar News Agency
