ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Saturday warmly welcomed the resumption of bilateral diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran facilitated by China, calling it a “diplomatic breakthrough”.
The Foreign Office, in a statement on Friday, said: “Pakistan firmly believes that this important diplomatic breakthrough will contribute to peace and stability in the region and beyond”.
Both Saudi Arabia and Iran on Friday agreed to restore ties and resume their diplomatic missions in a Chinese-brokered announcement that could have wide-ranging implications across the Middle East.
In a trilateral statement issued by China, Iran and Saudi Arabia said they would reopen embassies and missions within two months and implement security and economic cooperation deals signed more than 20 years ago.
The Pakistani government commended China’s role in coordinating the historic agreement deeming its leadership visionary for the major feat which reflects the “power of constructive engagement and meaningful dialogue”.
“We laud the sagacious leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran for this very positive development,” the Foreign Office stated.
Pakistan said it will continue to play a constructive role in the Middle East and the region following its history of consistently supporting and coordinating efforts for bridging gaps between the two brotherly countries.
“We hope this positive step would define a template for regional cooperation and harmony,” it further added.
Riyadh had cut its diplomatic ties after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions in 2016 following the Saudi execution of revered Iranian cleric Nimr al-Nimr — just one in a series of flashpoints between the two longstanding rivals.
Friday’s announcement, which follows five days of previously unannounced talks in Beijing and several rounds of dialogue in Iraq and Oman, caps a broader realignment and efforts to ease tensions in the region.
“Following talks, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have agreed to resume diplomatic relations and reopen embassies and missions within two months,” said the joint statement, which was published by both countries’ official media.
The detente between the two Muslim nations has the potential to reshape relations across a region characterised by turbulence for decades.
Iran and Saudi Arabia support rival sides in several conflict zones including Yemen, where the Huthi rebels are backed by Tehran and Riyadh leads a military coalition supporting the government. The two sides also vie for influence in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq.
