RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call from Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian on Sunday to discuss the next step to restoring ties.

It is the latest in a series of calls between the two ministers since talks hosted by China’s President Xi Jinping in Beijing last month ended with an agreement to restore diplomatic relations.

The conversation on Sunday covered issues of common interest and “the next steps in light of the recent tripartite agreement,” according to officials.

Iran and Saudi Arabia spent four days in talks in Beijing between March 6 and March 10. They ended with an agreement to reestablish diplomatic relations and reopen embassies within two months. 

Relations had been frozen for seven years after protestors attacked and burned the Saudi embassy in Tehran. 

A statement signed by all three countries and released after the Beijing meetings said that Iran and Saudi Arabia “affirmed their respect for the sovereignty of states and the non-interference in the internal affairs of states.”

The two countries agreed that their foreign ministers would arrange the return of their ambassadors and discuss means of boosting relations.

They also agreed to revive a Security Cooperation Agreement, originally signed in 2001, and a 1998 General Agreement for Cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, technology, science, culture and sports.

The joint statement read: “The three countries expressed their keenness to exert all efforts towards enhancing regional and international peace and security.” 

Prince Faisal and Amirabdollahian last week agreed to meet during Ramadan. 

Last Tuesday, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke to Xi by telephone and expressed his appreciation for China’s efforts to develop relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran.