Agreement with Iran underscores both sides\u2019 desire to \u2018resolve disputes through dialogue\u2019 \u2014 Saudi FM
\n Riyadh
\nSaudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said that the Saudi government is preparing for the resumption of bilateral relations with Iran in a couple of months and expressed hope to exchange visits with Iran.
\nIn a Chinese-mediated deal, Saudi Arabia and Iran have decided to resume their diplomatic relations and reached a concord to reopen embassies that were shut down since 2016. The tensions were at their peak as the Saudi government executed Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr upon conviction of terrorism among other 46 people.
\nPrince Faisal, in an interview with the Saudi-owned Al Sharq Al Awsat news agency, said that the recent agreement with Tehran to resume diplomatic ties confirms the desire of both sides \u201cto resolve differences through communication and dialogue\u201d.
\nHe also stressed that it doesn\u2019t mean that it has \u201cresolved all the other outstanding differences between the two countries.\u201d
\nPrince Faisal said he was looking forward to meeting his Iranian counterpart soon as per the agreement. \u201cWe are preparing to resume diplomatic relations between our countries within the next two months, and it\u2019s natural that we exchange visits in the future,\u201d he said.
\nSaudi Arabia and Iran are neighbouring countries that have many common features such as religion, culture and history, said the Saudi minister.
\nThe Saudi prince also stressed that the deal \u201cserved as evidence of our mutual desire to resolve [the differences] through communication and dialogue, through peaceful ways and diplomatic instruments.\u201d
\nPrince Faisal also added that the Kingdom hopes to open a new chapter with Iran and to enhance the prospects of cooperation in a way that positively impacts the strengthening of security and stability, and the advancement of development and prosperity, not only for Saudi Arabia and Iran but in the region as a whole.
\nThe Saudi minister, while talking about the Iranian nuclear programme, stated that Iran\u2019s continued development of its nuclear capabilities is undoubtedly a concern for the kingdom, and the Saudi government repeats its call for the Gulf region and the Middle East to be free of weapons of mass destruction.
\nHe went on to mention that Saudi Arabia calls on Iran to commit to its nuclear obligations and increase its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
\n\u201cWe will continue to work with allies and friends in order to ensure this,\u201d Faisal bin Farhan highlighted.
\nUnderlining the Chinese mediation between the two countries, the Saudi Prince said: \u201cChina has positive relations with both parties, which contributed to aligning views and highlighting the legitimate concerns of the Kingdom.\u201d
\nHe also expressed his hopes for China as a promoter of peace and cooperation between both parties by saying \u201cthe Kingdom hopes that China\u2019s mediation of the agreement will contribute to enhancing coexistence and shared security in the Middle East and improve neighbourly relationships between the countries.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Agreement with Iran underscores both sides\u2019 desire to \u2018resolve disputes through dialogue\u2019 \u2014 Saudi FM Riyadh Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said that the Saudi government is preparing for the resumption of bilateral relations with Iran in a couple of months and expressed hope to exchange visits with Iran. In a Chinese-mediated deal, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":319331,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-319320","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n