Yemen Consultations Make Significant Progress

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)
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Yemen Consultations Make Significant Progress

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)

The intra-Yemeni consultations, currently underway in Riyadh, have made significant progress in all issues on their agenda.

The consultations kicked off in the Saudi capital on Wednesday and they are being sponsored by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

On Sunday, the gatherers discussed the challenges facing the legitimate government and Yemenis and the best ways to address them.

GCC Ambassador to Yemen Sarhan Al-Minaikher said the government met on Monday with representatives of the six tracks under discussion at the talks.

They first tackled the political track and then the economic and security ones. The remaining tracks are media, social and humanitarian affairs.

The economy is among the issues that most concern the Yemeni people and they will find the needed support from their Gulf brothers, stressed Al-Minaikher at a press conference.

He confirmed that progress has been achieved on all issues, saying the talks have been marked by consensus among the gatherers.

Among the issues discussed was the impact global tensions will have on imports in Yemen, especially in wake of the war in Ukraine and the repercussions on grain production.

Moreover, he added that Yemen "has not and will not accept to remain outside the GCC organization. The country is a main part and natural extension of the Arabian Peninsula."

He said the gatherers were determined on bolstering state institutions, adding however, that no solutions have been reached.

He explained that the gatherers were still at the stage of addressing obstacles and problems, while solutions will be addressed in the coming days.

The consultations are set to conclude on April 7.

Al-Minaikher stated that the consultations were not an alternative to the United Nations negotiations. This is not a platform to exert pressure, rather it is a place to bring together brothers so that they can reach agreement in order to achieve stability in Yemen.

Leader of the national resistance, Tariq Saleh said the consultations were a beacon of hope for all national powers as they confront "the forces of backwardness" - the Iran-backed Houthi militias.

He hoped the consultations will "at least reform the legitimate institution."

He explained: "We have said that the weakness in confronting the Houthis stems from the failure in unifying the forces of the republic and mismanagement of political, economic and military affairs."

"Everyone is in agreement on the need for reform," he remarked.



Saudi-Chinese-Iranian Joint Tripartite Committee Meets in Riyadh

The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi. (SPA)
The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi. (SPA)
TT

Saudi-Chinese-Iranian Joint Tripartite Committee Meets in Riyadh

The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi. (SPA)
The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi. (SPA)

The second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian Joint Tripartite Committee to follow up on the Beijing Agreement was held in Riyadh on Tuesday.

The meeting was chaired by Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed A.Elkhereiji, with the participation of the Chinese delegation, headed by China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li, and Iranian delegation, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi.

The Saudi and Iranian sides reiterated their commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement in all its provisions and their continued effort to consolidate neighborly relations between their countries by respecting the Charter of the United Nations and the Charter of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and international law. This includes respecting the sovereignty, independence, and security of states.

Saudi Arabia and Iran welcomed the continued positive role played by China and the importance of its support and follow-up on the implementation of the Beijing Agreement that was signed in March 2023.

China underscored its readiness to continue to support and encourage the steps taken by Saudi Arabia and Iran to develop their relationship in various fields.

The three countries welcomed the continued progress in Saudi-Iranian relations and the opportunities it provides for direct communication between the two countries at all levels and sectors.

They noted the great importance of these contacts, meetings and mutual visits between high officials from the two countries, especially in light of the current regional tensions and escalation that threaten the security of the region and world.

The officials welcomed the progress of consular services between the two countries, which allowed more than 87,000 Iranian pilgrims to perform the Hajj and more than 52,000 Iranians to perform the Umrah with ease and security during the first ten months of 2024.

They welcomed the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian joint Media Committee and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and the Institute of Political and International Studies of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Saudi Arabia and Iran additionally expressed readiness to sign a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). Along with China, they look forward to expanding cooperation among them in various fields including economic and political.

The three countries called for an immediate end to the Israeli assault against Palestine and Lebanon, condemning its attacks and violations of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

They further called for the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid and relief to Palestine and Lebanon, warning that the continuing cycle of violence and escalation is a serious threat to the security of the region and world.

The three countries reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution in Yemen in line with internationally recognized principles under the auspices of the United Nations.