Monitoring Desk
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal, bin Farhan bin Abdullah, has said the Saudi-Iranian deal to restore diplomatic relations underscores the collective desire by both sides to “resolve disputes through dialogue and communication.”
However, he added: “This does not mean that a deal has been reached to resolve all pending disputes.”
Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed in Beijing on Friday to reestablish relations that were severed in 2016. Both sides also agreed to reopen their embassies within two months.
In his first interview since the China-sponsored deal was reached, Prince Faisal said he was looking forward to meeting the Iranian foreign minister soon to build on the agreement.
“We are preparing to restore our diplomatic relations within two months, so it is normal for us to pay exchange visits in the future,” he remarked.
On his latest visit to Ukraine and Russia, and talks about Saudi Arabia’s mediation to stop the Russia-Ukraine war; he stressed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was “prepared to exert efforts and work with the two countries to reach a political solution that ends the crisis and fighting and saves lives.”
Diplomatic relations are at the core of ties between countries. This is doubly important for two neighboring countries of the size of Iran and Saudi Arabia. They share several historical, religious, and cultural relations.
So, the deal was reached through China’s mediation and sponsorship and after several rounds of talks during the past two years in Oman and Iraq.
Agreement does not mean resolution of disputes
The Saudi Foreign Minister said that agreeing to restore diplomatic relations does not mean they have reached a solution to all disputes between them. Rather, it is a sign of their joint will to resolve disputes through dialogue and communication and peaceful and diplomatic means, he maintained.
“We, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, hope to open a new chapter with Iran and strengthen cooperation that would consolidate security and stability and push forward prosperity and development, not just in both our countries, but the entire region,” Prince Faisal said.
“I’m looking forward to meeting with the Iran’s foreign minister soon to build on the deal. We will prepare to restore diplomatic relations within the next two months. It is natural to exchange visits.”
