Bahrain FM urges closer ties with Iran

Manama, Feb 23, IRNA -Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid Bin Ahmad al-Khalifa said on Monday that Manama expects closer ties with its neighboring state of Iran.

In a meeting with Iranian Ambassador to Manama Hossein
Amir-Abdollahian, he voiced his country?s readiness to have more
profound and amicable ties with its neighboring states.

He reiterated that Manama is interested in expansion of ties with
Tehran in line with the establishment of stability and security in the
Persian Gulf region.

He appreciated his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki?s message
and his efforts to help expand bilateral relations between the two
countries.

Referring to the last year's visit to Bahrain by President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad, Sheikh Khalifa said the two countries pay due attention
to exchange of visits between the two sides? senior officials.

For his part, the Iranian envoy stressed the importance of expansion
of all-out ties between the two states.

He expressed hope that Manama would not be influenced by ill-wishing
attitude of certain countries which are not satisfied with
Iran-Bahrain growing relations.

Amir-Abdollahian further conveyed Mottaki?s verbal message on issues
of mutual interests.