Iran's envoy says to prioritize economic cooperation with Saudi Arabia

Iran's newly appointed Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Alireza Enayati said expansion of bilateral economic cooperation will be the priority of his mission.

He made the remarks in an interview with Iran's IRIB news agency published Saturday, in which he commented on the latest developments regarding the resumption of operations of the Iranian embassy.

Enayati, who will soon be dispatched to Riyadh to begin his mission, said among the embassy's future priorities are increasing the presence and activities of the Iranian private sector in Saudi Arabia, supporting joint investments, signing a customs agreement, and expanding bilateral cooperation in maritime transportation.

He noted that the two countries have reached comprehensive cooperation agreements in the upstream of economy, trade, investment, technology, sport and youth and highlighted the necessity to ink more such deals.

Enayati said his embassy will also hold meetings between representatives from the two countries' public sectors and private companies to explore opportunities for cooperation.

Iran and Saudi Arabia announced in April the resumption of diplomatic relations with immediate effect, seven years after Riyadh cut diplomatic ties with Tehran in 2016 in response to the attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran after the kingdom executed a Shiite cleric.

In early June, Iran reopened its embassy in Riyadh as well as its consulate general and representative office to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah. Saudi Arabia has yet to reopen its diplomatic missions in Iran.

(Xinhua News Agency)