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Iran, Saudi Arabia Issue Joint Communique
Iran and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday issued a joint communique, declaring that the two nations are the foremost countries in the region to bear common responsibility in solving regional issues.
The communique was released simultaneously from Tehran and Riyadh following Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef Ibn Abdul-Aziz's four-day visit to Iran.
Nayef left for home the same day after the two countries signed a landmark agreement on cooperation in combating crime, terrorism, money laundering, surveillance of borders and territorial waters late Tuesday.
The communique underlined the importance of the accord, saying that it would be beneficial to the two countries and the whole region as well.
It also highlighted the "brotherly and friendly" relations between the two countries and underscored each other's significant status in the region. The region should take necessary measures to expand cooperation to further consolidate peace and stability, it said.
It condemned the Israeli regime's suppressive policies and its recent attacks on Syrian forces in Lebanon, voicing firm support for the cause of the Palestinians and Lebanese absolute right to campaign against Israeli occupation of the disputed Shebaa Farms.
The communique also expressed sympathy for the Iraqi people's sufferings due to the decade-old U.N. sanctions and termed the current situation in Iraq as "unacceptable," stressing the need for changes based on international norms to safeguard the Iraqi people against the sanctions imposed for Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990.
Iran and Saudi Arabia went through years of mutual suspicion following Iran's Islamic Revolution in 1979. The Tehran-Riyadh relations have steadily improved since Iranian President Khatami came to power in 1997.
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