Iranian FM calls for dialogue, cooperation with the Gulf states

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen Net & Agengies
23 Jun 2023 17:53

Iranian FM Hossein Amir-Abdollahian welcomes the initiative of the UN Secretary-General to hold a meeting between the foreign ministers of the countries bordering the Gulf.

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and Qatar's Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani arrive for a press conference in Tehran, July 7, 2022 (AFP)

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Friday that he had "very positive discussions that give hope to all countries bordering the Gulf."

At the end of his Gulf tour, he indicated that Iran welcomed the initiative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to hold a meeting between the foreign ministers of the countries bordering the Gulf.

Amir-Abdollahian confirmed that Tehran had put forward an initiative to form a regional forum for dialogue and cooperation between the countries bordering the Gulf, adding, "We will send it in writing to the concerned countries."

"Finding a joint mechanism for dialogue and cooperation would bring together all countries bordering the Gulf waters," he stressed, considering it "more necessary than ever."

Amir-Abdollahian, through a tweet on Twitter, referred to the "neighborhood policy", saying, "Development and progress in the region and a bright future for our future generations can only be achieved through brotherhood, friendship, and cooperation."

سياسة الجوار ... لا يمكن تحقيق التنمية والتقدم في المنطقة والمستقبل المشرق لأجيالنا القادمة إلا من خلال الأخوة والصداقة والتعاون ...
— H.Amirabdollahian امیرعبداللهیان (@Amirabdolahian) June 23, 2023

UAE news agency WAM reported on Thursday that Iran and the United Arab Emirates have reached an agreement on air transport services.

The provisions of the agreement are intended to allow the national air carriers of Iran and the UAE to provide more services to their passengers and open new routes, as per the signed document.

The Iranian diplomat also met with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan who extended a formal invitation to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to visit the UAE after Amir-Abdollahian offered Mohamed bin Zayed to visit Tehran.

Amir-Abdollahian's visit comes as part of a tour across several countries in the Gulf region after Iran reached a Chinese-brokered agreement with Saudi Arabia to restore diplomatic ties back in March.

So far, the diplomat has toured four countries, including Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE.