Iranian FM: Meetings with Saudi FM were Positive, Constructive

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian (SPA)
TT

Iranian FM: Meetings with Saudi FM were Positive, Constructive

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian (SPA)

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said his talks with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, in Beijing were held in a "positive and constructive atmosphere."

Amirabdollahian declared Tehran's readiness to hold a joint economic commission session between the two countries, reiterating the necessity of developing financial, commercial, and investment relations.

The FM said the growth of economic relations and mutual investments could help strengthen ties.

In a tweet, Amirabdollahian said his meeting with his Saudi counterpart was "positive," adding that talks focused on "the beginning of official diplomatic relations" and emphasis on stability and sustainable security were among the issues agreed upon and "on the common agenda."

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Nasser Kanaani, told reporters accompanying the Iranian delegation that the official relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia officially began.

Kanaani explained that the foreign ministers held two rounds of talks, one behind closed doors.

The official IRNA news agency quoted Kanaani as saying that the two foreign ministers expressed the readiness of their countries to implement basic agreements between the two sides, including a comprehensive accord on cooperation and a security agreement, and they agreed to take steps in this respect gradually.

Kanaani went on to say that the Saudi and Iranian sides negotiated on the expansion of economic exchanges in both public and private sectors and that they underlined that the existing contracts between the two states pave the legal way for initiating and improving such activities.

They also plan to facilitate issuing visas and other related services to the nationals of both states to carry out economic and trade exchanges and the Umrah performers, Kanaani noted.



GCC Expresses Deep Concern over Escalation in the Region

Thick smoke billows from a raging fire at oil storage tanks a day after Israeli strikes on the port of Yemen's Houthi-held city of Hodeidah on July 21, 2024. (AFP)
Thick smoke billows from a raging fire at oil storage tanks a day after Israeli strikes on the port of Yemen's Houthi-held city of Hodeidah on July 21, 2024. (AFP)
TT

GCC Expresses Deep Concern over Escalation in the Region

Thick smoke billows from a raging fire at oil storage tanks a day after Israeli strikes on the port of Yemen's Houthi-held city of Hodeidah on July 21, 2024. (AFP)
Thick smoke billows from a raging fire at oil storage tanks a day after Israeli strikes on the port of Yemen's Houthi-held city of Hodeidah on July 21, 2024. (AFP)

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi expressed on Sunday his deep concern over the military escalation in Yemen in wake of the recent Israeli attacks on the Hodeidah Governorate.

In a statement, Al-Budaiwi said the development deepens the current tension in the region and disrupts ongoing efforts to end the war in the Gaza Strip and reach a political solution in Yemen.

The continuation of military operations threatens regional and international security and stability, deepening the humanitarian crisis, he warned.

Al-Budaiwi called on all parties to exercise restraint and urged the international community and key nations to fulfill their responsibility in ending the conflict.

He underscored the tireless efforts of GCC member countries to end the war in Gaza and support peace efforts in Yemen.

He also stressed the need to maintain international efforts to compel the Israeli forces to halt their violations, achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and all Palestinian territories, and resolve the conflict through a peaceful solution in line with relevant international resolutions.