Saudi Arabia, Iran agree to restore ties

Saudi Arabia and Iran have reached an agreement to restore diplomatic relations and reopen embassies after the two sides held negotiations in Beijing, according to a joint statement made by Beijing, Riyadh and Teheran on Friday.

The three sides made the announcement after a meeting between China's senior diplomat Wang Yi; Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council; and Musaad bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, Saudi national security adviser, in Beijing on Friday.

Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission, said the dialogue in Beijing opened a new chapter in ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

He hailed the restoration of diplomatic ties between the two sides as a "victory for dialogue" and a "victory for peace".

It has sent a clear signal that the Ukraine crisis is not the only pressing situation in the world, and there are lots of issues concerning peace and public well-being that require the attention of the international community, Wang said.

He said President Xi Jinping has supported the Beijing dialogue from the very beginning, and it represents a successful practice to implement the Global Security Initiative.

As a trustworthy friend of both sides, Beijing stands ready to continue playing a constructive role, he said.

The improvement in relations between Riyadh and Teheran opened a path for peace and stability in the Middle East and set an example for countries to use dialogue and consultation to resolve conflicts and differences, he said.

Wang reaffirmed Beijing's commitment to supporting the strategic autonomy of Middle Eastern countries and encouraging them to build up solidarity and coordination, protecting themselves from foreign interference and placing their future in their own hands.

China supports all developing nations to enhance solidarity and cooperation and uphold common interests, and the nation advocates political settlements to all conflicts and differences, Wang added.

Beijing, in line with the aspirations of different countries, will continue to play a constructive role in the settlement of hot spot issues in the world today and showcase the responsibility of a major country, he said.

Ali Shamkhani and Musaad bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, on behalf of their respective heads of state, extended their congratulatory message on the election of Xi Jinping on Friday as Chinese president.

They expressed appreciation to Beijing for hosting and supporting the dialogue and its success.

Riyadh and Teheran had conducted negotiations in Beijing from Monday to Friday, according to the joint announcement released by the three countries.

As part of the agreement, Riyadh and Teheran agreed to host meetings between respective foreign ministers, send ambassadors to each other's capitals and explore steps to enhance bilateral relations.

The two countries also agreed to reactivate security cooperation deals signed on April 17, 2001, and cooperation agreements on economy, trade, investment, technology, science, culture, sports and youth affairs on May 27, 1998.