FM Urges Continuation Of Tehran-Riyadh Talks

Tehran, May 13, IRNA – Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said continuation of talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia on issues of mutual interests will be constructive and help remove obstacles to expansion of bilateral cooperation. Salehi made the remarks in a meeting with his Saudi counterpart Saud al-Faisal Sunday evening in Jeddah. Salehi is visiting Jeddah to attend the meeting of the contact group of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to discuss the crisis in Mali as well as regional questions. Salehi elaborated on Iranˈs approach regarding expansion of ties with regional states, the neighboring countries in particular. He further said Iran and Saudi Arabia are two influential regional countries that can play effective roles in serving regional and bilateral interests. He added the two can also boost cooperation to bring about stability and security to the Persian Gulf region. Regional security needs cooperation by all countries in the region, noted Salehi, stressing that the Islamic Republic is making all-out efforts to settle regional crises, including those in Syria, Iraq and Bahrain. Saud al-Faisal, too, described Iran and Saudi Arabia as two important regional states. He called for closer cooperation between the two brotherly nations./end