Bilawal contacts Saudi, Iranian counterparts

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held telephonic contacts with his Saudi and Iranian Counterparts Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud and Hossein Amir Abdollahian respectively, and extended felicitations on the recent normalization of Iran-Saudi relations through “Trilateral Joint Statement”.

Diplomatic sources on Tuesday said that both leaders agreed to strengthen the Pak-Saudi relations and find out new dimensions for promoting mutual cooperation.
The sources said that Foreign Minister Bhutto expressed his desire to extend contacts between top leadership of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

The diplomatic further said that the Pakistan foreign minister also welcomed the Saudi King’s invitation to Iranian president for visiting the Kingdom, adding that the restoration of the ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia would cast positive effects on the region.

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During the telephonic conversation with the Iranian counterpart, Foreign Minister Bilawal extended warm felicitations on the signing of the Joint Trilateral Statement by Iran, Saudi Arabia and China, on March 10, 2023 in Beijing.

He termed the resumption of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran as a testament to the wisdom and farsightedness of the leadership of the two countries.

Foreign Minister Bilawal also commended the important role played by China in facilitating this process.

Underscoring Pakistan’s close fraternal relations with both Iran and Saudi Arabia, the foreign minister stressed that the renewal of diplomatic ties between the two brotherly countries would serve as a harbinger for peace, prosperity and development for the entire region.

Taking note of the upward trajectory in Pakistan-Iran relations, the two foreign ministers expressed their resolve to further intensify cooperation across the entire spectrum of bilateral ties.

It is pertinent to mention here, Iran and Saudi Arabia on March 17 agreed to reestablish diplomatic relations and reopen embassies after years of tensions between the two countries, including a devastating attack on the heart of the kingdom’s oil production attributed to Tehran.

The deal, struck in Beijing this week amid its ceremonial National People’s Congress, represents a major diplomatic victory for the Chinese as Gulf states perceive the United States slowly withdrawing from the wider Middle East. It also comes as diplomats have been trying to end a year-long war in Yemen, a conflict in which both Iran and Saudi Arabia are deeply entrenched.

The two countries released a joint communique with China on the deal, which apparently brokered the agreement.

“After implementing of the decision, the foreign ministers of the both nations will meet to prepare for exchange of ambassadors,” Iranian state television said. It added that the talks had been held over four days.