Saudi Arabia and Iran have reached an agreement to restore diplomatic ties and reopen embassies after the two sides held negotiations in the Chinese capital, according to a joint statement by Beijing, Riyadh and Tehran on Friday.
The three parties made the announcement after a meeting between senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi and officials from the two countries in Beijing on Friday.
Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Bureau of the Central Commission on Foreign Affairs, said the Beijing dialogue opened a new chapter in Saudi Arabia-Iran relations.
“China supports both sides to take solid steps based on their agreement and use patience and wisdom to work towards a better future together,” he said. “As a trusted friend of both sides, Beijing stands ready to continue playing a constructive role,” he added.
The improvement in ties between Riyadh and Tehran has paved a path for peace and stability in the Middle East and is an example for countries to use dialogue and consultations to resolve their conflicts and differences, he said.
Wang reiterated Beijing’s commitment to supporting the strategic autonomy of Middle Eastern countries, encouraging them to strengthen solidarity and coordination, stay away from foreign interference, and put their own future in their own hands.
According to the announcement, representatives from Riyadh and Tehran held negotiations in Beijing from Monday to Friday. As part of the agreement, Riyadh and Tehran agreed to host meetings between their respective foreign ministers, send ambassadors to one another and explore steps to improve bilateral relations.
The two countries also agreed to reactivate the Security Cooperation Agreements signed on April 17, 2001 and the Economic, Trade, Investment, Technology, Science, Culture, Sports and Youth Cooperation Agreements of May 27, 1998. The three parties agreed to do everything possible to improve international and regional peace and security.
