Saudi Gazette report

BEIJING — Saudi Arabia and Iran have agreed to reopen diplomatic missions in the two countries within a two-months period as agreed upon in March, according to a joint statement issued on Thursday following the historic meeting between Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir Abdollahian in Beijing,

The two sides agreed to proceed with necessary measures to open their embassies in Riyadh and Tehran, and their consulates general in Jeddah and Mashhad.

“Technical teams from both sides will continue to coordinate and discuss ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries, including the resumption of flights, bilateral visits of public and private sector delegations, and facilitating issuance of visas, including Umrah visas,” the statement read.

During the talks, the two sides stressed the importance of following up and activating the implementation of the Beijing Agreement, in a way that enhances mutual trust and expands the scope of cooperation, and contributes to achieving security, stability and prosperity in the region.

The two sides affirmed their keenness to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations and activate the security cooperation agreement between the two countries, signed in 2001, and the general agreement for cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, investment, technology, science, culture, sports and youth, signed in 1998.

The two sides expressed their desire to intensify consultative meetings and discuss ways of cooperation to achieve more positive prospects for relations, given the natural resources and economic potentials that the two countries possess, and great opportunities to achieve mutual benefits for the two brotherly peoples.

They affirmed readiness to do everything possible to overcome any obstacles facing bilateral cooperation.

The two sides also agreed to enhance their cooperation in everything that would achieve security and stability in the region and serve the interests of its countries and peoples.

Prince Faisal renewed the invitation extended to Abdollahian to visit the Kingdom and hold a bilateral meeting in Riyadh.

For his part, Abdollahian welcomed the invitation and invited Prince Faisal to visit Iran and hold a bilateral meeting in Tehran. Prince Faisal welcomed the invitation.