Iran, Saudi Arabia agree to resume flights, bilateral visits; work for ‘security, stability’ in Middle East

The foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia on Thursday met in Beijing where they pledged to work together for establishing "security and stability" in the turbulent Middle East following a surprise deal, brokered by China.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan held talks after which they released a joint statement in which both countries promised to continue working together for improving their ties.

"The two sides emphasised the importance of following up on the implementation of the Beijing Agreement and its activation in a way that expands mutual trust and the fields of cooperation and helps create security, stability and prosperity in the region," the statement read.

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The two ministers agreed to reopen their diplomatic missions and proceed with taking the necessary measures to open embassies in Riyadh and Tehran, and their general consulates in Jeddah and Mashhad.The leaders also decided to continue co-ordination between the technical teams on both sides to discuss ways to enhance co-operationby including the resumption of flights, mutual visits by official delegations and private sector, and facilitating the granting of visas to citizens, including Umrah visas.

In March, Tehran and Riyadh had announced an agreement, brokered by Beijing, to restore their relations which had remained severed for seven years, when Saudi diplomatic missions were attacked by protesters in Iran.

In a statement, Iran's foreign ministry said that the two sides “negotiated and exchanged opinions with the emphasis on the official resumption of bilateral relations and the executive steps towards the reopening of the embassies and consulates of the two countries”.

The footage of leaders shaking hands and chatting with smiling faces in front of Saudi and Iranian flags was aired by the Saudi state TV channel Al Ekhbariya.

In state broadcaster CCTV's readout, Beijing hailed "the first official meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries in more than seven years" and "active mediation" of China in the diplomacy.

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Meanwhile, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, in a press briefing, said, "China will work with Middle Eastern countries to implement global security initiatives, global development initiatives and global civilisation initiatives to promote security, stability, development, prosperity, tolerance and harmony.”

As per last month's agreement, the two countries will reopen their missions and embassies within two months and implement economic co-operation and security deals which have signed more than 20 years ago.

(With inputs from agencies)

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