Qatar welcomes restoration of Saudi-Iran diplomatic relations

Doha, The Gulf Observer: Qatar has welcomed the agreement by Saudi Arabia and Iran to reestablish diplomatic relations and reopen embassies.

Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani held yesterday a telephone call with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia HRH Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al Saud.

The call dealt with discussing bilateral relations between the two countries and the means to enhance them.

The Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed Qatar’s welcome of a trilateral statement from Saudi Arabia, Iran, and China, on resuming diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and re-opening their embassies and representatives within two months, in addition to activating Security Cooperation Agreement, and the General Agreement for Cooperation in the Fields of Economy, Trade, Investment, Technology, Science, Culture, Sports, and Youth.

The Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said Qatar looks forward to the step enhancing security and stability in the region, and meet the aspirations of the peoples in the two countries, benefiting the peoples of the region.

The Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs also held a separate telephone call with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran H E Dr. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian yesterday. They discussed relations between the two countries, and ways to support and develop them.

The Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed Qatar’s welcome of the trilateral statement on resuming diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and re-opening their embassies.

The Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed Qatar’s aspiration that this step will contribute to enhancing security and stability in the region, and meeting the aspirations of the peoples of the two countries, for the benefit of all the peoples of the region.

The Iranian Foreign Minister congratulated H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani on his appointment as Prime Minister.

Earlier, the trilateral statement said that the agreement came following an initiative by Chinese President H E Xi Jinping.

The statement said delegations from the two countries held talks from March 6 to 10, 2023, in Beijing.

The Saudi delegation was headed by Dr. Musaad bin Mohammed Al Aiban, Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers, and National Security Advisor, while Iran’s delegation was led by Admiral Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran.

The two sides expressed their appreciation and gratitude to Iraq and Oman for hosting rounds of dialogue that took place between the two sides in 2021 and 2022. The two sides also expressed their appreciation and gratitude to the leadership and government of China for hosting and sponsoring the talks, and the efforts it placed towards its success.

The statement said: “The three countries announce that an agreement has been reached between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran, that includes an agreement to resume diplomatic relations between them and re-open their embassies and missions within a period not exceeding two months.”

“The agreement includes their affirmation of the respect for the sovereignty of states and the non-interference in internal affairs of states. They also agreed that the ministers of foreign affairs of both countries shall meet to implement this, arrange for the return of their ambassadors, and discuss means of enhancing bilateral relations,” the statement added.