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)
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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.



King Salman Orders Name Change of Saudi Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs, Housing

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. (SPA)
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King Salman Orders Name Change of Saudi Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs, Housing

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud issued on Sunday an order to amend the name of the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing.

It will now be called the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing.

Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majed bin Abdullah Al-Hogail expressed his gratitude to King Salman and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on the move.

He emphasized that the name change reflects the ongoing commitment to developing an advanced urban environment in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

This effort aims to boost the ministry's overall performance and its municipalities to achieve sustainable urban development plans, he remarked. Additionally, it aims to improve the quality of life in cities and develop the housing sector to provide innovative services.

The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs was established by royal order in 1975 with the responsibility for urban planning and development of municipal and rural areas. It has also been tasked with managing municipal services to maintain a clean and healthy environment.

In 2020, a royal decree merged the Ministry of Housing into the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, becoming the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing. The move sought to ensure the continuation of achievements and fulfill the aspirations of the Kingdom, positioning it among advanced countries.