Beijing, March 10, 2023, SPA — Saudi Minister of State, Member of the Cabinet, and National Security Adviser Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban has affirmed that the welcoming of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, and Prime Minister, of the noble initiative of His Excellency Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, to develop good neighborly relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran proceeds from the Kingdom’s continued and consistent commitment, since its founding, to the principles of good neighborliness, to pursue all that strengthens security and stability in the region and the world, and to adopt the principle of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve disagreements.
This came in a speech delivered by Dr. Al-Aiban during the closing session of the talks that preceded the signing of the agreement between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran, hosted and sponsored by the People’s Republic of China, in the presence of a high-ranking Chinese delegation. The speech reads as follows:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
?Your Excellency Mr. Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee,
?Your Excellency Admiral Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran,
May Peace, Blessings, and Mercy of Allah be upon you:
?I would like to begin by conveying the gratitude and appreciation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to His Excellency President Xi Jinping for His noble initiative of the People’s Republic of China’s support for developing good neighborly relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran, and to act as a bridge of dialogue between them.
?The welcoming of this initiative by the Kingdom’s leadership proceeds from the Kingdom’s continued and consistent commitment, since its founding, to the principles of good neighborliness, to pursue all that strengthens security and stability in the region and the world, and to adopt the principle of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve disagreements.
?As we express our gratitude and appreciation to the Republic of Iraq and the Sultanate of Oman, for all that these two brotherly countries have provided in order to facilitate previous rounds of dialogue, we are very pleased to have reached this agreement today, which is the culmination of in-depth talks we had during this week, which enjoyed the support of the leaders of our three countries. The talks included an extensive review of the causes of our disagreements and ways to handle them. The Kingdom has been keen for this to occur within the framework of the two countries’ brotherly ties, turning a new page based on a commitment to the principles and objectives of the Charters of the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and international conventions and norms.
?In addition, what has been reached, in terms of affirming the principles of respect for the sovereignty of states and the non-interference in internal affairs of states, is considered a basic pillar in the development of relations between states and enhancement of security and stability in our region, which would, in turn, benefit both countries and the region in general, and strengthen regional and international peace and security.
?We value the agreement we reached, and hope we will continue to maintain a constructive dialogue, in accordance with the principles and foundations included in the agreement, while expressing the value and appreciation we attach to the continuous, positive role played by the People’s Republic of China in this regard.
?I would like to conclude by thanking my brother His Excellency Admiral Ali Shamkhani for his efforts and the efforts of the brotherly Iranian delegation to reach this agreement.
?I would also like to express my thanks to His Excellency Mr. Wang Yi, for the extensive efforts exerted by His Excellency and our Chinese friends to facilitate and host these talks.
May Peace, Mercy, and Blessings of Allah be upon you.
Source: Saudi Press Agency