Saudi Arabia and Iran Resume Diplomatic Ties in Agreement Brokered by China
March 10, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)—In an agreement brokered by China and announced in Beijing today, representatives of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran announced they will reestablish diplomatic ties no later than two months from today, and affirmed their “respect for the sovereignty of states and the non-interference in the internal affairs of states.” This action was taken, according to the trilateral statement, “in response to the noble initiative of His Excellency President Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, of China’s support for developing good neighborly relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
The trilateral statement was issued after Wang Yi, Director of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee, met with both delegations. According to Global Times, he congratulated them for taking this “historic step,” which he said not only represented a victory for “dialogue and peace,” bringing very good news to an “unsettled world,” but also demonstrated a successful application of President Xi Jinping’s Global Security Initiative.
As a “kind and trustworthy mediator,” Wang said, China has fulfilled its responsibility as a host and will continue to play a constructive role in promoting the “proper handling of global heated issues in accordance with each side’s willingness.” The head of the Iranian and Saudi delegations had nothing but praise for China’s “major country diplomacy.” The Chinese leader emphasized that the agreement shows that Ukraine isn’t the only problem in the world and that there are others involving peace and people’s livelihoods that require global attention and “proper handling.” No matter how difficult a problem may be, maintaining a spirit of mutual respect to seek dialogue can help each side reach a settlement, Wang said. By reaching this agreement the two countries have taken an important step for Middle East peace and set an example for settling disputes via dialogue.
Today’s announcement was the culmination of talks held between March 6-10 in Beijing, as well as previous discussions during 2021 and 2022. The delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was headed by His Excellency Dr. Musaad bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, Minister of State and National Security Advisor, and the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran headed by His Excellency Admiral Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran. According to the trilateral statement, leaders of both delegations agreed that their respective foreign ministers will meet to arrange implementation of the accord and “discuss means of enhancing bilateral relations.... The three countries expressed their keenness to exert all efforts towards enhancing regional and international peace and security.”
