West News Wire: On his first visit to the kingdom in years, Iran’s top diplomat, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, claims to have held “fruitful and important talks” in Riyadh on Thursday.
Regarding Iran and Saudi Arabia’s economic and security cooperation, Amir-Abdollahian said that relations between the two nations “are progressing in the right direction”.
He is returning the favour following a June visit by his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan as part of a peace effort that started in March when the two countries decided to patch things up with Chinese mediation.
“Our meeting today is a continuation of steps taken towards implementing the agreement to resume diplomatic relations, which represents a pivotal platform in the history of the two countries and the path of regional security,” Prince Faisal said at a joint news conference with Amir-Abdollahian on Thursday.
Amir-Abdollahian’s trip to Riyadh comes as the two nations are reopening diplomatic missions in each others’ countries. He was accompanied by Alireza Enayati, Iran’s new ambassador to the kingdom.
“Two significant nations in the Islamic world and Western Asia are Iran and Saudi Arabia. Our relationship will grow on both sides in all areas, the Iranian foreign minister declared.
Fortunately, the two countries’ relations are moving in the right direction, and progress is being made.
According to Amir-Abdollahian, there is agreement between the two nations to carry out existing accords, including those pertaining to security, trade, the economy, and other important areas.
“We are in agreement to define a format and framework where the foreign ministries of the two countries will follow up on relations through the formation of various technical and specialised committees.”
The top Iranian diplomat highlighted that the Iran believes security in the region must be ensured through reliance on local capabilities, stating that Iran stretches out a hand of cooperation to neighboring countries.
“Within such a framework, we have planned promotion of solid relations with other countries like Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates apart from restoration of ties with the friendly and neighboring Saudi Arabia.
“In our opinion, the goal of establishing security and development in the region cannot be divided. According to Amir-Abdollahian, “We think that the issue of regional security and development is interrelated and belongs to all participants in the region.
The OIC has the potential to play a significant role in the world community, according to Tehran and Riyadh, according to the top Iranian diplomat.
He claimed that Iran is committed to continuing its support for Palestine. We are certain that the Zionist entity wants to seize our region and sow discord and animosity, he declared.
He continued, “We remain vigilant and aware of the activities of the Zionist organisation.
The Iranian foreign minister also pointed to the desecration of the Holy Qur’an in Europe, saying Iran and Saudi Arabia, along with other Muslim countries, share positions regarding lamentable insulting of Islam’s most revered book.
He also extended Iran’s profound gratitude to Saudi Arabia for cooperation and services to Iranian pilgrims during the Hajj pilgrimage, hoping that the minor Hajj pilgrimage will also resume in the near future.
The meeting on Thursday in the Islamic Solidarity Hall of the Saudi Foreign Ministry “will be a prelude to the meeting of the heads of the two countries,” according to Amir-Abdollahian.
He continued by suggesting a “regional dialogue,” saying, “We are confident that these gatherings and cooperation will aid in the unity of the Islamic world.”
Prince Faisal stated that King Salman bin Abdulaziz has extended an invitation for Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi of Iran to visit the country after his June visit. According to Raeisi, he will visit the kingdom at the “appropriate time.”
The ambassadors of the two nations will begin serving in their positions in their respective countries, according to Prince Faisal, who said that the kingdom was eager to carry out all the provisions of the China-brokered deal, whether they were political or economic.
In June, Iran officially reopened its embassy in Saudi Arabia and Iranian media reported earlier this month that the kingdom’s embassy in Tehran had resumed operations.
Prince Faisal confirmed on Thursday that the Saudi embassy in Tehran has also resumed operations, which he described as “another step in the development of relations between the two countries”.
“We look forward to a new phase in our relationship based on our Islamic brotherhood and work towards common interests,” he said, adding that he welcomed Iran’s endorsement of Riyadh’s bid to host Expo 2030.
Earlier in the day, Amir-Abdollahian and his Saudi counterpart discussed the relations between Tehran and Riyadh, issues of mutual interest concerning the Muslim world, as well as regional and international developments.
Amir-Abdollahian, who is leading a delegation, is in Riyadh on an official visit at the Saudi foreign minister’s official invitation.
Enayati, the newly appointed Iranian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, will formally begin his post there while travelling with the foreign minister.
Iran and Saudi Arabia decided to restart communication and reopen diplomatic missions on March 10 in Beijing.
Following the agreement’s signing, Tehran and Riyadh issued a joint statement emphasising the need to respect one another’s national sovereignty and desist from meddling in one another’s internal affairs.
They also agreed to implement a security cooperation agreement signed in April 2001 and another accord reached in May 1998 to boost economic, commercial, investment, technical, scientific, cultural, sports, and youth affairs cooperation.
