TEHRAN Foreign Ministers of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia Tuesday underlined firm determination of both the countries to promote and consolidate bilateral ties in political and economic fields. The visiting Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Saud al-Faisal said the Saudi king and crown prince are decisive to upgrade ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran. He said the recent visit to Riyadh of Iran's head of the Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani set a turning point in the history of bilateral relations.

Speaking in a meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Kamal Kharrazi, Saud al-Faisal said Riyadh is eagerly awaiting a visit to Saudi Arabia of President Mohammad Khatami to further boost bilateral ties. Saud al-Faisal arrived here Tuesday on a two-day visit. He also expressed hope that an exclusive exhibit of Iranian goods will be held in Saudi Arabia in a near future and subsequently Saudi manufactured products be put on display in Iran. The Iranian foreign minister described Tehran-Riyadh amity and close ties as sincere and serious.

Welcoming the upward trend of ties between the two countries, Kharrazi voiced Iran's readiness to upgrade bilateral relations to the highest level. The two foreign ministers also expressed satisfaction over Tehran-Riyadh cooperation during the annual Hajj rituals. Saud al-Faisal submitted King Fahd's written message to President Khatami on Tuesday. (IRNA)