Top UAE diplomat: Iran-Saudi rapprochement to benefit entire Middle East region

The Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) says his country welcomes an agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore diplomatic ties, adding the deal is of great benefit to the entire West Asian region.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan made the remarks in a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian late on Tuesday, after Tehran and Riyadh decided on March 10 to restore bilateral ties severed seven years ago.

Al Nahyan expressed hope that growing relations between Abu Dhabi and Damascus will result in enhancement of regional stability and security, and will serve the interests of Muslim countries in a satisfactory manner.

He extended an official invitation to Amir-Abdollahian to pay a visit to the UAE.

The Emirati Foreign Minister also offered his felicitations on the occasion of Nowruz or the Persian New Year, and its coincidence with the fasting month of Ramadan.

For his part, the Iranian Foreign Minister said the recent normalization of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia will further expand cooperation and convergence among the regional countries, voicing his satisfaction with developing relations between Syria and the UAE.

“Fortunately, bilateral relations between Tehran and Abu Dhabi are developing in political, economic, and trade spheres, and the recent constructive talks between security and economic officials from the two countries will pave the way for their further promotion,” Amir-Abdollahian said.

He also announced Tehran's readiness to hold a joint meeting of merchants and businessmen from the two countries.

The two senior diplomats later exchanged viewpoints on common areas of interest concerning regional and international developments.

SS