Eurasia Press & News
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said coordination between Iran and Saudi Arabia strengthens Muslims’ identity and serves as a source of glory for the world of Islam. Speaking in a meeting with the Saudi King Abdallah bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud in Riyadh on Sunday, Ahmadinejad stressed numerable and common assignments and responsibilities of Iran and Saudi Arabia, as two big and powerful Islamic nations, in the world of Islam, the region and the Middle-East, a statement released by the Presidential Press Office said.
“The entire Islamic Ummah (nation) has pinned hope in these two countries and they expect Iran and Saudi Arabia solve a large part of their problems and meet their needs,” he said, adding, “and owing to the same reason, increasing consolidation of ties and exchange of views between Tehran and Riyadh has implications and effects far beyond the routine relations of these two friendly and neighboring states.”
The president further pointed out that under the current sensitive conditions, coordination of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia strengthens Muslims’ identity and serves as a source of glory for the world of Islam.
“Fortunately, there exists no impediment in the way of the expansion of bilateral ties between the two countries, considering the good intentions and the existence of the required resolve in the officials of both sides,” he said, and called for the accelerated growth in the development of Iran-Saudi ties which the president said have been on the increase in recent years.
Referring to the efforts made by the Saudi government for the improved administration of the Hajj ceremony and hosting of millions of Muslims, Ahmadinejad said that Iran and Saudi Arabia enjoy ample potentials for mutual cooperation.
He also voiced Iran’s preparedness to develop ties and joint cooperation in the various economic, cultural, religious and energy sectors as well as transfer of its experiences to Riyadh.
For his part, the Saudi king honored the memory of the Founder of the Islamic Republic, the Late Imam Khomeini, and introduced his country as a friendly state for the Islamic Republic.
He noted the two countries’ developing ties, and said, “The Iranian and Saudi people are two Muslim nations with one single faith, and their relationship is very friendly, despite what is desired by certain states.”
King Abdallah reminded that the enemies of the world of Islam seek to sow discord between Iran and Saudi Arabia, and underlined, “Saudi Arabia is the second home to the Iranians. And we should encounter enemies with wisdom and foresight in a bid not to allow materialization of their divisive goals.”
He also appreciated the Iranian president for having accepted his invitation and his visit to Riyadh, and expressed regret over the short length of the trip.
“There are many important issues which must be studied and discussed by Iran and Saudi Arabia as two big countries of the region and effective actors in the world of Islam,” the Saudi King underscored.
Following the meeting, the Iranian president and Saudi king entered a round of closed talks.
