Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan held a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
In the meeting, the two senior diplomats discussed the bilateral and regional issues of mutual interests between Tehran and Riyadh.
Amirabdollahian and bin Farhan referred to the firm resolve of the two countries to enter a new phase in their relations and expressed pleasure with the reopening of their embassies in Tehran and Riyadh and the exchange of ambassadors, the Foreign Ministry’s website reported.
The Iranian foreign minister stated that based on an idea put forth during his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Iran is ready to sign a comprehensive partnership agreement with the kingdom.
He said it is also necessary that Tehran and Riyadh launch a joint economic commission to expand their ties in different areas, especially in the trade and economic fields.
Amirabdollahian further stressed the need to activate the air and shipping routes in order to facilitate travelling and trade between the two nations.
The top Iranian diplomat then spoke about Iran’s proposal to form a forum for dialogue and cooperation between the eight northern and southern countries of the Persian Gulf.
The Saudi foreign minister, for his part, described as satisfactory the pace of progress in bilateral affairs since Iran and Saudi Arabia announced their rapprochement.
In addition to restoration of their diplomatic relations, Iran and Saudi Arabia have opened new horizons too, Bin Farhan added.
He also noted that Riyadh is willing to strengthen bilateral cooperation and put into action their proposed ideas, adding that a meeting between the heads of states will accelerate the pace of cooperation.
The two top diplomats then agreed on plans to speed up the formation of Tehran-Riyadh joint economic commission, form a coordinating committee, launch air and shipping lines, provide consular services for the citizens of the two countries and strengthen athletic cooperation.
Amirabdollahian and bin Farhan also expressed pleasure with the coordination between the two sides’ football federations to hold sports events in Iran and Saudi Arabia, saying it will have a positive impact on the public opinion in both countries.
