Iran plans to promote ties with EU, regional states

TEHRAN, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi announced Wednesday the Islamic Republic is planning to promote relations with regional and Islamic countries as well as the European Union (EU) members states in the new Iranian calendar year started on March 21.

Salehi said that there has, recently, been some "good efforts" from Iran's side to enhance relations with the neighboring states, Islamic world and the European Union.

"Of course, there are some challenges to this end, but Iran is planning to overcome these difficulties," Salehi said at local satellite Press TV.

About ongoing changes in the region and Iran's foreign policy in this regard, Salehi said that Iran's Foreign Ministry is to develop a program on the basis of the new developments in the Middle East region and this program will benefit both Iran and the Islamic nations.

In such a condition, Tehran is determined to promote relations with neighboring countries, particularly with the Muslim states, according to Press TV.

Iran's plans are sketched out in a way to serve the interests of Iran and Muslim countries and against arrogant powers which pursue nothing but enmity with nations, said the report.

Among the regional states, Salehi specifically referred to relations with the influential Arab state of Egypt and said Wednesday that Tehran welcomes resumption of diplomatic ties with Cairo. The Egyptians strived to materialize their justice seeking moves which was regarded as a new chapter in the country's history, Salehi was quoted as saying by official IRNA news agency.

"There have been many ups and downs in the two countries' relations and we hope that under the new conditions we will witness further expansion of relations between the two great nations," Salehi said.

There is no doubt that good ties between Iran and Egypt would help restore stability, security and development to the entire region, Salehi said, according to the report.

"We hope to witness the expansion of relations between the Iranian and Egyptian nations ... in the emerging new era," according to Press TV.

Egypt's new Foreign Minister Nabil el-Arabi said Wednesday that the Egyptian government does not consider Iran as an enemy and is ready to open a new chapter with Iran.

Egypt and Iran do not have full diplomatic relations since Iran 's 1979 Islamic revolution, when Iran cut ties after Egypt gave asylum to the deposed Iranian Shah in Cairo and made peace with Israel.

Source: Xinhua.
Link: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-03/30/c_13805883.htm.