Iran’s foreign minister: Regional stability paramount to a secure future

Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says regional stability is of paramount importance to the development of a more secure and prosperous future.

The minister made the remarks in a Saturday joint press conference with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, who is in Tehran on the first visit since the two West Asian powers agreed to restore ties following a seven-year rupture.

“Overall stability and security of every country in the region is a fundamental and vital issue for all, and an undeniable necessity to reach a safer, more prosperous and more developed future.”

He said to the Islamic Republic, security has never meant militarization. “Security is a comprehensive concept encompassing political, cultural, social, economic and commercial aspects among regional countries.”

Elsewhere in the presser, Amir-Abdollahian hailed the current visit by his Saudi counterpart to Tehran, some 100 days after the rapprochement agreement. He said the two countries have named their ambassadors during this period.

The top Iranian diplomat thanked Saudi Arabia's assistance to the Islamic Republic to reopen its diplomatic missions. “We have also provided the necessary measures and facilities for the reopening of Saudi diplomatic missions.”

The minister said Iran has also prepared the ground for Saudi nationals’ trip to religious and tourist sites in the country.

Following several days of intensive negotiations in Beijing, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed on March 10 to resume their diplomatic ties and reopen their embassies within two months.

Iran on June 6 officially reopened its embassy in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, in line with the China-brokered reconciliation agreement. On May 23, Alireza Enayati was named as Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi foreign minister on first Iran visit after rapprochement

Prince Faisal bin Farhan is in Tehran at the head of a high-ranking delegation.

Amir-Abdollahian said Tehran and Riyadh agreed on the significance of setting up a joint economic commission and political and border committees, combating drug trafficking and enhancing cooperation in the environmental sector.

He said Iran and Saudi Arabia would start implementing the agreements reached on Saturday after approval by senior officials.

On the Palestinian issue, the Iranian foreign minister said, “We have consensus that the settlement of the issue is a fundamental matter that has priority in the Muslim world.” Iran and Saudi Arabia share a similar stance on the Palestinian issue, Amir-Abdollahian said.

The minister said talks with his Saudi counterpart also focused on “sustainable economic and trade cooperation and joint venture” between Tehran and Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia will reopen embassy in Tehran soon: Bin Farhan

The Saudi foreign minister, for his part, said he held positive and transparent talks with his Iranian counterpart.

Bin Farhan said Saudi Arabia would reopen its embassy in Tehran soon and thanked Iran for providing facilities to his country to reopen the diplomatic missions.

The Saudi minister underscored the importance of the restoration of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia as key players in the region, and said ties are based on the principles of mutual respect, non-interference in internal affairs and adherence to the UN Charter.

The foreign minister of Saudi Arabia said his country will use all the capacities to serve the Iranian pilgrims performing annual Hajj rituals.

‘Positive atmosphere’

In a post on his Twitter account on Saturday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani said the foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia held talks “in a very good, positive and constructive atmosphere.”

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