Joint Press Conference of HRH Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia and HE Manouchehr Mottaki, Foreign Minister of Iran
Tehran 16/5/1427H corresponding to 12/6/2006
In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
I thank His Excellency Manouchehr Mottaki and the Iranian government for the good reception and generous hospitality. Today I had the honor of meeting His Eminence the Supreme Guide where I conveyed to him a message from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in response to the message conveyed by Mr. Ali Akbar Welayati on the conditions in the region and bilateral relations.
The discussions held today were good and constructive. Iran is a great and important country in the region. Consequently, it has responsibilities at the same level of importance and weight. We hope that cooperation between us on the bilateral or GCC level would ensure stability and prosperity of the region, and keep it away from tension and turmoilatmosphere to be able to develop our countries and achieve welfare of our peoples.
Being two Muslim countries enforcing Islamic law “Sharia”, places before us mutual responsibilities for our Islamic nation “Ummah”. In this context, we appreciate the positive participation of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Extraordinary Islamic Summit held in Mecca and its results.
The Officials in Iran kindly explained their position with regard to the Iranian nuclear technology. In this regard, we support nations’ right to own nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in accordance with respective international conventions. Meanwhile, we appreciate the Iranian assertions of not intending to develop nuclear weapons. Saudi Arabia observes that possession of atomic weapons will not realize security in the region; rather it would increase instability therein.
In this concern, Saud Arabia welcomes turning towards peaceful solution for this crisis. We express our aspiration to realization of these desired objectives. Saudi Arabia’s policy in this regard agrees with the Arab policy aiming at making the Middle East and Gulf region free from weapons of mass destruction “WMD”.
Meanwhile, we stress that any international efforts to this end should not exclude Israel, particularly under the efforts of move the peace process in the region forward, according to the basis of international legality, it principles and initiatives, considering that peace is the optimal way to achieve security.
Talks tackled the situation in Iraq. As it is known, we cannot talk about security in the region without addressing the situation in Iraq, which is the neighbor of our two countries. We hope, after the formation of the new Iraqi government, that it would be able to strengthen security and stability within the framework of national unity of the Iraqi people. We hope that the schedules Iraqi national conference would achieve its objectives. Neighboring countries of Iraq have responsibilities for supporting the efforts of the Iraqi government in this concern; maintain independence of Iraq’s political decision under its sovereignty, territorial integrity and safety.
As regards bilateral relations between our two countries; the marked growth witnessed in our economic relations in the last three years significantly reflects the positive climate prevailing between out two countries and the serious resolve to develop and foster the relations in all fields. Surely, we are looking for expanding our relations to broader horizons to live up to our aspirations and optimally invest our potentialities and resources. In this context, I would like to commend our positive joint cooperation in OPEC to stabilize international oil market, and serve the interests of producers and consumers alike.
Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said that Iran and Saudi Arabia are in aagreement about solving the nuclear issue through peaceful and diplomatic ways based on negotiation. He said that his talks with the visiting Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal centered on Iran`s nuclear program. At the meeting with Prince Saud Al-Faisal, he was briefed on the Iran`s latest nuclear stance and he declared his country’s support for the legal right of Iranians to access nuclear energy within the framework of NPT,`. Mottaki assessed his talks with his Saudi counterpart as positive and said that the favorable trend of bilateral relations will open a new chapter through exchange of delegations, continued political talks and joint economic commission meetings in the near future.He added that key regional matters, including the latest developments in Iraq and its security were also discussed at the meeting.The minister said that the decision of Arab League to hold the second reconciliation meeting in Baghdad and the ninth foreign ministers meeting in Tehran were also among the topics on the agenda.He added that the relevant details will be finalized at the following meetings.Mottaki said that representatives of Iraq`s neighboring states will hold a meeting in the near future.`We also exchanged views on the latest developments in Palestine and underline the need for unity among Palestinian groups and continuing assistance of Islamic countries to the Palestine government and people.`The recent barbaric crimes in Palestine and regional security were also reviewed during the session and Saud al-Faisal said that the countries of the region can have a more decisive role through regional exchanges,` added the Iranian minister.He urged that Iran and Saudi Arabia should make more effort towards development of further closer ties, unity and integrity among Muslim states and Islamic sects.Mottaki added that dialogue among Ulema, intellectuals and the World Assembly for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought will also be considered as an effective measure.Mutaki said the Saudi and Iranian leaderships are determined to further enhance bilateral relations in all domains. He pointed out that the two sides had underlined the importance of exchange of visits and political consultations as well as establishment of joint economic commission in the near future. Mutaki said Iran and Saudi Arabia are capable of narrowing gaps among the Muslim countries.
In response to a question as how Iran will use the capacity of he Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to solve the problems facing the Islamic states and who is Iran`s most important adversary in the region, Prince Saud Al-Faisal said, `We have no enemy in the region.The regional countries are friendly and willing to cooperate with us.`Concerning extra-regional states, we should recommend them to stop being hostile towards the countries of the region.
Prince Al-Faisal said ` Turning to the 10-year action plan of OIC member states which was drawn up during Mecca summit, that it is a strong symbol of solidarity among Islamic states.`Of course, the plan does not aim to oppose other parties, rather is meant to support the interests of Islamic Ummah and the rights of Muslim minorities.Besides, it aims to confront blasphemies on Islamic sanctities and organize mass confrontation of such issues by the world of Islam’.
Mottaki pointed to the large economic reserves of Islamic states and said that according to the OIC 10-year action plan, these states will develop a single policy in their economic cooperation.`The issue will be discussed at the upcoming foreign ministers meeting (June 19-21) in the Azeri capital of Baku,` concluded Mottaki.