Saudi Arabia, Iran to Launch Arrangements on Reopening of Embassies and Consulates

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian, meet in Beijing. SPA
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian, meet in Beijing. SPA
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Saudi Arabia, Iran to Launch Arrangements on Reopening of Embassies and Consulates

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian, meet in Beijing. SPA
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian, meet in Beijing. SPA

Saudi Arabia and Iran said in a joint statement on Thursday that their agreement in Beijing last month would help bring "security and stability" to the Middle East, adding that they would launch arrangements to reopen missions within the two-month period stipulated in the deal.

Riyadh and Tehran agreed to resume diplomatic ties and re-open embassies in a major deal facilitated by China last month.

"The two sides emphasized the importance of following up on the implementation of the Beijing Agreement and its activation in a way that expands mutual trust and the fields of cooperation and helps create security, stability and prosperity in the region," said a statement issued on Thursday after a meeting between Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian, in Beijing.

Saudi Arabia and Iran also said in the joint statement they would launch arrangements to reopen embassies and consulates within the two-month period stipulated in the deal.

"The technical teams will continue coordination to examine ways of expanding cooperation including the resumption of flights and bilateral visits of official and private sector delegations and facilitating the granting of visas for the citizens of the two countries," they added.

Tehran and Riyadh, according to the joint statement, also underlined the importance of reviving a security pact signed in 2001.



GCC Expresses Grave Concern Over Instability in South Asia

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi.
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi.
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GCC Expresses Grave Concern Over Instability in South Asia

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi.
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi expressed on Saturday the deep concern of member states over the deteriorating security situation in South Asia, calling on all parties to exercise restraint, prioritize dialogue, and resume urgent negotiations between Pakistan and India.

Albudaiwi also strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack targeting tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths and injuries of numerous innocent civilians.

He underscored the critical importance of resolving disputes through peaceful means in line with international law and the UN Charter, to safeguard security, peace, and stability in the region. He reiterated the GCC’s firm stance against terrorism in all its forms.

Moreover, Albudaiwi renewed the GCC member states' call for the international community to intensify its efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution to the Jammu and Kashmir issue based on the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.