Cooperation with Saudi Arabia to increase in all fields: Iranian FM
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian visited Saudi Arabia for the first time since the restoration of relations between Tehran and Riyadh after 7 years. In a statement issued after the visit, it was announced that the two countries will increase cooperation in the fields of politics, economy, trade, technology, science, and culture.
Following the decision to resume relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia after 7 years, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman during his visit to the Saudi capital Riyadh.
Abdollahian said that the establishment of diplomatic relations between Tehran and Riyadh offers historic opportunities for the two countries and expressed his desire to develop the partnership between the two countries, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a written statement.
"Today we are under a great historical responsibility. Iran and Saudi Arabia can increase cooperation in politics, economy, trade, technology, science, and culture for the benefit of the region. Regional success is possible through increased dialogue and cooperation," Abdollahian added.
Emphasizing that Iran and Saudi Arabia have an important geopolitical position in the region, Abdullahiyan stated that the Palestinian issue is a common issue in the Islamic world and that Israel poses a threat to the countries of the region.
COUNTRIES AGREE ON SECURITY, DEVELOPMENT
Commenting on the meeting on his social media account, Abdollahian noted that he had a sincere meeting with bin Salman and that the two countries are determined to continue their joint cooperation.
"This morning, I had a 90-minute sincere meeting with Saudi Crown Prince bin Salman. Our meeting was based on neighborly policies, productive, transparent, and result-oriented. We agreed on common security and development for the region," the Iranian foreign minister said in a statement.
SAUDI ARABIA'S POSITIVE APPROACH
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for his part, emphasized the strategic approach to the relationship with Iran and said that Riyadh is serious and determined to maintain relations with Iran.
"Iranian President Reisi's visit to Saudi Arabia and the meeting between the leaders of the two countries are important for the development and strengthening of bilateral relations and cooperation in all fields," he said.
IRAN-SAUDI ARABIA RELATIONS
On January 2, 2016, 47 people, including Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr, were executed in Saudi Arabia on "terrorism" charges. Following the successive statements of Iranian officials reacting to the executions, Saudi Arabia's embassy in Tehran and consulate buildings in the city of Mashhad were set on fire by demonstrators in Iran.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries, already strained by the crisis in Yemen that began in March 2015, were completely severed. Iranian and Saudi Arabian officials met for direct talks in Baghdad in April 2021, and the Iraqi-mediated talks continued thereafter.
Source: Anadolu Agency
