Saudi Arabia reaffirms support for diplomacy at ASEAN conference

MANILA — Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue, diplomacy and regional cooperation during the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) Conference in Manila, while condemning Iranian attacks on Gulf infrastructure and rejecting Houthi allegations against the Kingdom.Representing Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji addressed the conference, titled “Conflict Prevention and Preventive Diplomacy,” emphasizing the importance of strengthening dialogue, building mutual trust and expanding regional cooperation.Al-Khuraiji said Saudi Arabia recognizes ASEAN’s vital role in promoting peace, stability and prosperity and welcomed progress made through recent ASEAN summits in advancing economic integration and addressing regional and global challenges.He reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with ASEAN by building on the outcomes of ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council summits, saying deeper cooperation can unlock new opportunities for growth, resilience and shared prosperity.The deputy foreign minister stressed that Saudi Arabia continues to advocate dialogue, diplomacy and de-escalation as the only reliable path to lasting peace and regional stability.He also reiterated the Kingdom’s condemnation of Iran’s unlawful attacks on oil and gas tankers, critical infrastructure and civilian areas in the Gulf, reaffirming the right of states to self-defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.Al-Khuraiji further condemned the Houthis’ false allegations accusing Saudi Arabia of imposing a blockade on Yemen, while denouncing the group’s repeated attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure, which he said threaten regional stability.He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s steadfast support for the Yemeni people and the country’s legitimate government.Highlighting Vision 2030, Al-Khuraiji said the Kingdom’s approach prioritizes cooperation over confrontation and promotes economic partnerships as a driver of lasting peace and shared prosperity.He added that, as a party to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, Saudi Arabia shares responsibility for advancing its principles by strengthening multilateral cooperation, supporting preventive diplomacy, safeguarding freedom of navigation and promoting dialogue as the preferred means of resolving disputes.