Dubai – Saudi Arabia and Iran have agreed to resume diplomatic ties and reopen embassies, they said in a joint statement issued in Beijing, carried by the Saudi state news agency SPA on Friday.
The two sides agreed to respect state sovereignty, not to interfere in internal matters, and to activate a security cooperation agreement signed in 2001, the statement said.
In the joint statement, Iran and the Saudi Arabia have expressed gratitude to Iraq and Oman for hosting negotiations in 2021 and 2022 and to China for hosting the most recent round of talks.
Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia and Iran are expected to hold a meeting to carry out the new decision and facilitate the exchange of ambassadors.
Representatives of Saudi Arabia and Iran have held several rounds of talks in Iraq for the past one year.
Both governments have also agreed to resume trade, economy and investment agreement signed in 1998.
Joint Trilateral Statement
In response to the noble initiative of His Excellency President Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, of China’s support for developing good neighborly relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
And based on the agreement between His Excellency President Xi Jinping and the leaderships in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Islamic Republic of Iran, whereby the People’s Republic of China would host and sponsor talks between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Proceeding from their shared desire to resolve the disagreements between them through dialogue and diplomacy, and in light of their brotherly ties.
Adhering to the principles and objectives of Charters of the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and International conventions and norms.
The delegations from the two countries held talks during the period 10-06-March 2023 in Beijing – the delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia headed by His Excellency Dr. Musaad bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers, and National Security Advisor, and the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran headed by His Excellency Admiral Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The Saudi and Iranian sides expressed their appreciation and gratitude to the Republic of Iraq and the Sultanate of Oman for hosting rounds of dialogue that took place between both sides during the years 2022-2021. The two sides also expressed their appreciation and gratitude to the leadership and government of the People’s Republic of China for hosting and sponsoring the talks, and the efforts it placed towards its success.
The three countries announce that an agreement has been reached between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran, that includes an agreement to resume diplomatic relations between them and re-open their embassies and missions within a period not exceeding two months, and the agreement includes their affirmation of the respect for the sovereignty of states and the non-interference in internal affairs of states.
They also agreed that the ministers of foreign affairs of both countries shall meet to implement this, arrange for the return of their ambassadors, and discuss means of enhancing bilateral relations.
They also agreed to implement the Security Cooperation Agreement between them, which was signed on 1422/1/22 (H), corresponding to 2001/4/17, and the General Agreement for Cooperation in the fields of Economy, Trade, Investment, Technology, Science, Culture, Sports, and Youth, which was signed on 1419/2/2 (H), corresponding to 1998/5/27.
The three countries expressed their keenness to exert all efforts towards enhancing regional and international peace and security.
