Egypt looks forward to Riyadh-Tehran ties resumption having positive impact on Iran’s foreign policies: Presidency

CAIRO – 11 March 2023: Egypt looks forward to the resumption of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Tehran having a positive impact on Iran’s international and regional policies, Spokesman of the Egyptian Presidency Ahmed Fahmy said in a statement on Saturday.

The Egyptian presidential statement expressed appreciation for the Riyadh-Tehran step as “important” and hailed the kingdom’s stance in this regard that aims at “removing the points of tension concerning the relations at the regional level.”

The presidential spokesman said the Saudi stance affirms its reliance on the principles and goals of the United Nations Charter regarding respecting the states’ sovereignty and non-interference in their internal affairs, the establishment of the good neighborliness concepts, and the enhancement of regional security and stability.

Egypt also looks forward to this step “constituting an opportunity for Iran to confirm its tendency toward adopting a policy that takes into consideration the legitimate concerns of the countries of the region,” the spokesman said.

This would boost the chances of cooperation and enhance the positive communication between Iran and the region’s states in order to draw a path for the relations in a way that fulfill the aspirations of the peoples of the region toward development and prosperity, the spokesman added.

Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed on Friday to resume their diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies and missions within two months after years of tensions in response to an initiative by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

This comes after years of tensions and strained relations between the kingdom and the Islamic republic especially since the storming of Saudi Embassy in Iran by Iranian protesters following Saudi Arabia’s execution of Shiite Cleric Nimr Al-Nimr in 2016.

Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday it is following with interest the announcement of the resumption of the Saudi-Iranian diplomatic relations, expressing hopes for the agreement to contribute to easing tensions in the region.

Egypt also expresses aspiration that the agreement helps enhancing the pillars of stability, and preserving the resources of the Arab national security and the aspirations of the peoples of the region in prosperity, development, and stability, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry added in a statement.