JEDDAH (Agencies): The inaugural session of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian Tripartite Joint Committee concluded in Beijing on Friday, with both Saudi and Iranian delegations pledging their dedication to implementing the Beijing Agreement.
Chaired by Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee and director of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee Foreign Affairs Commission Office, the meeting included discussions with the heads of the Saudi and Iranian delegations, Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji and Ali Bagheri Kani, respectively.
Key topics encompassed the enhanced relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran subsequent to the Beijing Agreement brokered between the two nations in March. The discussions also touched upon the reopening of embassies in Riyadh and Tehran, along with meetings and reciprocal visits by the foreign ministers of both countries.
Both Saudi and Iranian delegations commended China for its pivotal role in hosting the meeting and expressed their unwavering commitment to fulfilling the terms of the Beijing Agreement.
Tripartite cooperation across various domains was extensively discussed, with particular concern raised about the ongoing situation in Gaza, seen as a threat to regional and global peace and security. The parties called for an immediate cessation of military operations in Gaza and advocated for a sustainable civilian aid system, condemning the forced displacement of Palestinians. Emphasizing the importance of decisions regarding Palestine’s future reflecting the will of the Palestinian people, the tripartite parties upheld the right to establish their own state and determine their destiny.
It was agreed that the next meeting of the tripartite committee would take place in Saudi Arabia in June. Both Saudi Arabia and Iran expressed gratitude to China for hosting the meeting and for its mediating role in fostering dialogue between Riyadh and Tehran. The three parties jointly voiced their concern about the situation in Gaza, emphasizing the necessity for any conflict resolution to align with the will of the Palestinian people.