Tehran and Riyadh are working on a long-term strategy aimed at expanding bilateral relations between the two countries, Iran's ambassador to Riyadh told Iran News agency (IRNA) Tuesday.
"A new chapter has opened in the relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia in recent years, and the pace of the progress in the bilateral relations has notably accelerated," said the diplomat.
He said improving ties between the two oil powers was the outcome of a good mutual understanding between the Iranian and Saudi officials.
The joint-Saudi-Iranian commission starts its third session Tuesday, reported the agency.
The commerce ministers of both countries, who will co-chair the session, would discuss the bilateral cooperation in the trade, technological, industrial, health and mass media areas.
The Iranian ambassador said the top-level officials of both Iran and Saudi Arabia have the firm political will to promote the bilateral relations, while adding that strong religious and historical bonds between the two states would contribute to promotion of bilateral
relations, added IRNA.
Pointing to the vital role of the oil in the economy of both states, the envoy said the good cooperation between the two states within the framework of OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) is of prime importance in bringing about a stability in the world oil prices, said the agency.
Ties between the two major Gulf powers have warmed considerably since the May 1997 election of President Mohammed Khatami, after a long period of hostility following the 1979 Islamic revolution -- Albawaba.com
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