Saudi-Iranian relations highlighted

Iranian President Muhammad Khatami on Wednesday received Prince Turki, son of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz. The Iranian president received a message from Crown Prince Abdullah delivered by Prince Turkey.

Talks dealt with bilateral relations between the two countries and means of strengthening them as well as other issues of mutual concern. President Khatami expressed satisfaction over the progress of relations between the two countries. "Iran always calls for establishing friendly cooperation between the Islamic states and the countries of the region as a whole," he said.

Noting the means of eliminating tension and strengthening friendship between the Islamic states, Khatami said, "We are all in need of such a friendship. Security is very important for all." He underlined the importance of the key role played by Iran and Saudi Arabia in ensuring security in the region.

Speaking about the development of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia the Iranian President said, "The good standing relations between Tehran and Riyadh" would have in the future good effects on the Middle East and the Islamic world. He referred to the dangers caused by the "Zionist entity" against the security and stability of the region, calling upon all Islamic states to maintain solidarity and to exert efforts in defense of the rights of the Palestinian people and in deterring dangers imposed by Israel.

Khatami stressed Iran's readiness to invest all its potentials in the service of peace and security in the region.

For his part, the Saudi prince praised Iran's readiness to boost bilateral relations with his country. He said that the positive developments in Saudi-Iranian relations are evidence of the two countries' desire to develop these relations. He underlined the key role played by President Khatami in this regard. The Saudi envoy said the objective of his visit to Iran falls in the course of strengthening closeness in the relations between the two peoples.

Mohammad Ali Abtahi, the manager of the Iranian president's office, said that Khatami received an invitation from the Saudi successor to visit Riyadh, and that Khatami accepted the invitation and will soon hold a visit.