UAE FM says Emirates favors expansion of ties with Iran

Dubai, Dec 20, IRNA - UAE Foreign Minister Sheik Abdullah bin-Zayed Ale-Nahyan said in an interview with Persian Gulf News Daily's Friday edition that Abu Dhabi is willing to expand ties with Tehran.

The UAE daily further quoted Sheikh Abdullah as saying, "Emirates is
committed to maintaining reciprocal good ties with Iran." The UAE
Foreign Minister added, "Iran is one of the most important neighbors
of the Emirates and the two countries have lots of shared interests."
He said, "Determined to pursue that objective, we hope the joint
executive committee and the concerned UAE ministries would side by
side with Iranian concerned officials take positive and effective
steps aimed a expansion of bilateral ties."
Sheikh Abdullah added, "The UAE government has in this respect
included in its agenda the serious concerns of Tehran, particularly
the inspections of the Iranian visitors at UAE airports."
He said, "We would pursue this matter that has caused serious concern
at the Iranian parliament and government."
The UAE official further stressed, "Surveying the matter that would
harm bilateral relations if it is continued is a bare and vital
necessity for the UAE government, since we are eager for expansion of
good and positive ties with Iran."
He said, "We have asked the shared consular committee of the two
countries, too, to survey the matter at their upcoming meeting in
order to assure Iran that the matter is being pursued satisfactorily
and the solution to the emerged problem is near at hand."
Sheikh Abdullah said, "The UAE government believes on time and proper
solving of any problem that can negatively affect the bilateral ties
of our country with our neighbors is a bare necessity." The UAE
official did not refer to the sensitive issue of the always Iranian
islands of Abu Mussa, and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs in the Persian
Gulf in his interview, which is a positive sign aimed at improvement
of bilateral ties.

End