Beijing, 18 December 2023(TDI): The first meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian tripartite committee took place in Beijing and has now concluded.
During the meeting, the heads of Saudi and Iranian delegations met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China’s political bureau, and the committee’s chief of staff.
The Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Deng Li chaired the conference, accompanied by Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Foreign Minister El Khereiji and Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri, while the main point of discussion was the Beijing Agreement.
Participants in the meeting reviewed the favorable outcomes in Saudi-Iranian ties after the Beijing Agreement, which was signed between the two states last March under the guidance of China.
Commitment and Future Cooperation
Additionally, the issue of reopening the Iranian and Saudi embassies in their respective capitals, along with mutual contacts and visits by the two sides’ foreign ministers, was also examined.
Furthermore, Tehran and Riyadh appreciated China’s pivotal role in the matter, as well as China’s holding of the meeting.
China, in turn, expressed its readiness to play a constructive role and assist both Saudi Arabia and Iran in further developing their ties.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, “The Middle East should no longer be a geopolitical arena of great powers, and the fate of the region should be in the hands of the people,” during a meeting with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ali Bagheri and Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed El Khereiji.
Each side highlighted concern over the current scenario in Gaza, which affects both regional and international peace and security.
Moving forward, they demanded an immediate halt of military operations in the Gaza Strip, continuous humanitarian aid for the people, and an end to forced Palestinian displacement. They emphasized the Palestinian people’s right to choose their own future and establish an independent state.
Also Read: Arab-Islamic Committee urges US action for Gaza ceasefire
Iran and Saudi Arabia have pledged their full support for the agreement. Additionally, they have discussed methods to strengthen trilateral cooperation on several fronts.
At the end, participants decided to continue the tripartite committee meetings, with the next meeting scheduled for June 2024 in Saudi Arabia.
){kind=link}