13/03/2023 (Agence Europe) – The spokesperson for the European External Action Service announced, on Saturday 11 March, that the EU welcomes the announced agreement on resumption of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and looks forward to its implementation. “As both Saudi Arabia and Iran are central for the security of the region, the resumption of their bilateral relations can contribute to the stabilisation of the region as a whole”, the spokesperson said in a statement, praising the Chinese diplomatic efforts that led to this “important step”. The spokesperson reiterated the EU’s readiness to engage with all actors in the region in a gradual, inclusive and transparent manner, stressing that promoting peace and stability and easing tensions in the broader Middle East were priorities for the EU. (CG)