Iran and Saudi Arabia have agreed to resume flights and bilateral visits of official and private sector delegations, in addition to issuing visas for citizens, according to a joint statement signed by the two countries on Thursday.
Both sides will also reopen diplomatic representations within the two-month period stipulated in an agreement brokered by China last month.
Here is the full text of the communique issued by Saudi Arabia and Iran after the foreign ministerial meeting in Beijing, as published by the Saudi Press Agency.
A joint statement was issued at the conclusion of the talks between the foreign ministers of the Kingdom and the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Chinese capital, Beijing, as follows:
In light of what was included in the joint tripartite statement of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the People's Republic of China issued on March 10, 2023 AD regarding the resumption of relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran, and within the framework of co-ordination between the two countries regarding the necessary steps to resume diplomatic and consular work between them, took place in the capital, Beijing, on Ramadan 15, 1444 AH, corresponding to April 6, 2023 AD, talks between His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and His Excellency Mr Hossein Amirabdollahian, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
During the talks, the two sides stressed the importance of following up and activating the implementation of the Beijing Agreement, in a way that enhances mutual trust and expands the scope of co-operation, and contributes to achieving security, stability and prosperity in the region.
The two sides affirmed their keenness to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations and activate the security co-operation agreement between the two countries, signed on 1/22/1422 AH, corresponding to 4/17/2001 AD, and the general agreement for co-operation in the field of economy, trade, investment, technology, science, culture, sports and youth, signed on 2/2/1419 AH corresponding to 27/ 5/1998 AD.
The two sides agreed to reopen their diplomatic missions during the agreed period, to proceed with taking the necessary measures to open the embassies of the two countries in Riyadh and Tehran, and their general consulates in Jeddah and Mashhad, and to continue co-ordination between the technical teams on both sides to discuss ways to enhance co-operation between the two countries, including the resumption of flights, mutual visits by official delegations and the private sector, and facilitating the granting of visas to citizens of the two countries, including Umrah visas.
The two sides expressed their aspiration to intensify consultative meetings and discuss ways of co-operation to achieve more positive prospects for relations, given the natural resources, economic potentials that the two countries possess, and great opportunities to achieve mutual benefit for the two brotherly peoples. They affirmed their readiness to do everything possible to overcome any obstacles facing the promotion of co-operation between them.
The two sides also agreed to enhance their co-operation in everything that would achieve security and stability in the region and serve the interests of its countries and peoples.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the two sides expressed their thanks and appreciation to the Chinese side for hosting this meeting, and the two sides also expressed their thanks to the Swiss government for its endeavours and appreciated efforts to take care of Saudi and Iranian interests.
His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, renewed the invitation extended to His Excellency Mr Hossein Amirabdollahian, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, to visit the Kingdom and hold a bilateral meeting in the capital, Riyadh.
For his part, His Excellency Mr Hossein Amirabdollahian welcomed the invitation, and invited His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud to visit the Islamic Republic of Iran and hold a bilateral meeting in the capital, Tehran, and His Highness welcomed the invitation.
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Results:
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 2,000m - Winner: Powderhouse, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap Dh165,000 2,200m - Winner: Heraldic, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.40pm: Conditions Dh240,000 1,600m - Winner: Walking Thunder, Connor Beasley, Ahmed bin Harmash
8.15pm: Handicap Dh190,000 2,000m - Winner: Key Bid, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
8.50pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed Dh265,000 1,200m - Winner: Drafted, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
9.25pm: Handicap Dh170,000 1,600m - Winner: Cachao, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
10pm: Handicap Dh190,000 1,400m - Winner: Rodaini, Connor Beasley, Ahmed bin Harmash
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Fixtures and results:
Wed, Aug 29:
- Malaysia bt Hong Kong by 3 wickets
- Oman bt Nepal by 7 wickets
- UAE bt Singapore by 215 runs
Thu, Aug 30:
- UAE bt Nepal by 78 runs
- Hong Kong bt Singapore by 5 wickets
- Oman bt Malaysia by 2 wickets
Sat, Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong; Oman v Singapore; Malaysia v Nepal
Sun, Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman; Malaysia v UAE; Nepal v Singapore
Tue, Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore; UAE v Oman; Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu, Sep 6: Final
Fixtures
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Trent Rockets: Colin Munro
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Southern Brave: Quinton de Kock
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Engine: Duel electric motors
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Find the right policy for you
Don’t wait until the week you fly to sign up for insurance – get it when you book your trip. Insurance covers you for cancellation and anything else that can go wrong before you leave.
Some insurers, such as World Nomads, allow you to book once you are travelling – but, as Mr Mohammed found out, pre-existing medical conditions are not covered.
Check your credit card before booking insurance to see if you have any travel insurance as a benefit – most UAE banks, such as Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, have cards that throw in insurance as part of their package. But read the fine print – they may only cover emergencies while you’re travelling, not cancellation before a trip.
Pre-existing medical conditions such as a heart condition, diabetes, epilepsy and even asthma may not be included as standard. Again, check the terms, exclusions and limitations of any insurance carefully.
If you want trip cancellation or curtailment, baggage loss or delay covered, you may need a higher-grade plan, says Ambareen Musa of Souqalmal.com. Decide how much coverage you need for emergency medical expenses or personal liability. Premium insurance packages give up to $1 million (Dh3.7m) in each category, Ms Musa adds.
Don’t wait for days to call your insurer if you need to make a claim. You may be required to notify them within 72 hours. Gather together all receipts, emails and reports to prove that you paid for something, that you didn’t use it and that you did not get reimbursed.
Finally, consider optional extras you may need, says Sarah Pickford of Travel Counsellors, such as a winter sports holiday. Also ensure all individuals can travel independently on that cover, she adds. And remember: “Cheap isn’t necessarily best.”
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl
Power: 153hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: Dh99,000
On sale: now
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Rating: 4 stars
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Founder: Omar Onsi
Launched: 2018
Employees: 35
Financing stage: Seed round ($12 million)
Investors: B&Y, Phoenician Funds, M1 Group, Shorooq Partners
Tour de France 2017: Stage 5
Vittel - La Planche de Belles Filles, 160.5km
It is a shorter stage, but one that will lead to a brutal uphill finish. This is the third visit in six editions since it was introduced to the race in 2012. Reigning champion Chris Froome won that race.
UAE Premiership
Results
Dubai Exiles 24-28 Jebel Ali Dragons
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 43-27 Dubai Hurricanes
Final
Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons, Friday, March 29, 5pm at The Sevens, Dubai
