Saudis started working on long-term deal with Iran: FM
On his way back from a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says the kingdom has directed the launch of preliminary steps towards devising a “long-term cooperation agreement” with the Islamic Republic.
“[Saudi Crown Prince] Mohammed bin Salman ordered [the kingdom’s] Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan for the preliminary measures to take place towards devising of the framework of the long-term cooperation document between the countries,” the Iranian top diplomat told reporters on Friday on board the plane that was taking him back to Iran from the kingdom, according to Press TV.
Upon completion, the document would be signed by the countries’ high-ranking officials, Amir-Abdollahian added.
The Iranian foreign minister also announced that the country had invited the Saudi crown prince to pay a visit to the Islamic Republic.
Mohammed bin Salman accepted the invitation, saying he would devise the necessary plans to travel to Tehran “at the opportune time,” Amir-Abdollahian stated.
In turn, the Saudi official invited his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raeisi to visit Riyadh, which was similarly accepted by the president.
Detailing his talks during the trip with the Saudi crown prince, the foreign minister said the two met for “90 minutes, more than 70 percent of which was focused on bilateral issues,” since the two “are of the opinion that all-out and sustainable relations should take shape between Tehran and Riyadh”.
Amir-Abdollahian said Riyadh emphasized during the meetings that it had adopted a “new attitude”. The Saudi authorities, he noted, tried to display their readiness for opening up “a new chapter in the countries’ relations”.
He attributed the prospect to the emergence of the understanding that the region can move towards development “without reliance on foreigners”.