Iran's security head meets with UAE President in Abu Dhabi

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
16 Mar 2023 20:05

Both parties discussed several topics on interests in the aim of enhancing bilateral diplomacy and cooperation.

The UAE’s President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan receives Iran’s Supreme National Security Council secretary Ali Shamkhani in Abu Dhabi (WAM)

Sources reported on Thursday that Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Ali Shamkhani met with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi in light of the restoration of diplomatic ties between Iran and GCC countries.

Both parties discussed matters of enhancing bilateral cooperation in various sectors, UAE news agency WAM said.

Samkhani reportedly told UAE's head of State that both countries need to replace hostility with diplomacy so as to overcome obstacles that impede the development of bilateral and regional interests, according to IRNA.

On his part, Al Nahyan stated that cooperation with Iran has always been a priority for Abu Dhabi, IRNA added.

.@HHShkMohd, in the presence of @MaktoumMohammed, meets with Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The meeting explored ways to strengthen bilateral relations & partnerships between the two countries. pic.twitter.com/y2Ml6MiWGM
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) March 16, 2023

On March 10, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to restore diplomatic relations and re-open their embassies following a series of talks brokered in Beijing, China under the auspices of Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday.

The Saudi leadership expressed hope that the positive discussion with Iran will continue in light of the Chinese-sponsored agreement which was struck last week.

The Saudi cabinet, headed by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, chaired a meeting that was held in Riyadh, during which they reviewed the agreement.

The cabinet also aspired that the agreement will benefit Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the region, as well as help to maintain regional and international peace and security.

Simultaneously, several Arab countries reflected their views on the re-establishment of diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia, most notably the UAE, Egypt, and Qatar. The countries touched on the subject by expressing hope for the future.