ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Thursday welcomed Iran and Saudi Arabia’s decision to restore diplomatic relations during an address at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting.
Saudi Arabia, which cut ties in 2016, and Iran on Friday agreed to reestablish diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies within two months following years of tensions between the two countries. The detente has been brokered by China.
In a joint statement, both countries reaffirmed their respect for “the sovereignty of states and the non-interference in internal affairs of states.”
Riyadh and Tehran also agreed to activate the security cooperation agreement signed in 2001 and the trade, economy and investment agreement signed in 1998, according to the agreement’s text.
“Pakistan warmly welcomes the agreement reached by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran to restore diplomatic relations and the constructive role played by the Chinese leadership in facilitating this agreement,” Bhutto-Zardari said at the CFM meeting in Mauritania.
“It is time that we join together to restore peace in Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Libya,” he said, adding that the OIC must strengthen its security mechanisms to end all conflicts and disputes between Islamic nations.
On Tuesday, Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan said the kingdom is open to “quickly” investing in Iran.
“Our aim is to have a region that is stable, able to provide for its people, and prosper, and there is no reason for that not to happen, Iran is our neighbor and has been and will continue to be for hundreds of years,” Al-Jadaan said.
“There are a lot of opportunities in Iran, and we provide a lot of opportunities, as long as goodwill continues,” he added.
