The Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji, met on Monday with Iran’s Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Bagheri Kani, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The meeting occurred on the sidelines of the 19th Ministerial meeting of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue held in Tehran, where Al-Khuraiji led the Saudi delegation on behalf of Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.
During the meeting, both officials reviewed bilateral relations and explored ways to further bolster them. They also discussed topics of common concern
The Saudi ambassador to Iran, Abdullah bin Saud al-Anzi, and the Director General of the Deputy Minister’s office, Mutashar al-Enezi, attended the meeting.
Asia Cooperation Dialogue
In his address during the 19th Asia Cooperation Dialogue Ministerial Meeting, Al-Khuraiji stressed the need to deepen cooperation to address various challenges, including conflicts, and food and energy security.
Moreover, the Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister spoke about the conflict in Gaza, warning that the continuation of the Israeli military operations threatens regional security and could trigger a wider conflict, which Saudi Arabia had previously warned against.
Al-Khuraiji underscored the need for an immediate halt to Israeli operations in Gaza, the protection of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid. He also pointed to the need for intensified efforts to reach a solution for the Palestinian issue, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian State based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
#Tehran | On behalf of HH the Foreign Minister, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. @W_Elkhereiji participated in the 19th Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Ministerial Meeting.https://t.co/5wt0orQ10g pic.twitter.com/h1q78L9EVZ
— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) June 24, 2024
Furthermore, Al-Khuraiji reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to continued coordination and expansion of cooperation between countries in various fields, including economic development, technology, trade, investment, regional security, energy and culture.
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs said that Saudi Arabia believes in the significance of enhancing cooperation in emerging fields and challenges, such as the climate change crisis. He also emphasized the importance of bolstering cooperation in the governance of artificial intelligence (AI) and new technologies, and enhancing collective efforts to reduce tensions and promote dialogue.
