Iran, Saudi Arabia formally restore diplomatic relations: Kan’ani

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kan’ani has announced the official restoration of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia after top diplomats from the two countries held a landmark meeting in the Chinese capital city of Beijing and issued a joint statement.

“I am delighted to announce the first official meeting between the Iranian and Saudi foreign ministers in Beijing following the [March 10] agreement between the two countries to resume formal ties, and three rounds of telephone conversations between the top diplomats,” the spokesman told reporters in Beijing on Thursday.

He hailed the “very good” negotiations held between Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan in a “totally positive and constructive atmosphere” in the Chinese capital.

As a result of the foreign ministerial meeting, the formal relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia have been officially re-established as of today, Kan’ani noted.

The official highlighted that the two Muslim countries will exchange technical delegations within the next few days to make preparations for the reopening of embassies in Tehran and Riyadh as well as their respective consulates.

Earlier on Thursday, Amir-Abdollahian and his Saudi counterpart signed a joint statement after holding talks in Beijing.

The two top diplomats have stressed the need to implement the Chinese-mediated agreement on the restoration of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia in order to build mutual trust, pave the way for enhanced cooperation and contribute to regional security, stability and prosperity.

The joint statement has also emphasized the necessity to carry out a security cooperation agreement that Tehran and Riyadh had signed in April 2001, and another agreement on cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, investment, technology, science, culture, sports and youth signed in May 1998.

According to the statement, Iran and Saudi Arabia will take the necessary measures to reopen the embassies in Tehran and Riyadh and their consulate generals in Mashhad and Jeddah, and to make arrangements for the resumption of direct flights, reciprocal visits by the official and private sector delegations, and facilitate the visa regime for the citizens of the two nations, including visa for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

SS