Salehi: Political Ties With Egypt Strong, Satisfactory

Berlin, Feb 5, IRNA – IRI Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi termed political relations with Egypt ˈvery well and strongˈ arguing that after popular revolution in Egypt Iranˈs relations with that country has always been improving due to will to do so in both countries. Salehi who was speaking with IRNA at the end of his three-day visit of Germany before departing for Cairo to take part at Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit emphasized, ˈEgypt is a very important country in the region and the Islamic Republic of Iran believes that country is one of the heavy weights in the Middle East and also among the Islamic countries.ˈ In response to a question on the effect of visiting Egypt on providing the path for resuming normal diplomatic ties, Salehi pointed out that the Cairo visit is not a bilateral visit as it is in the framework of participation at the OIC Summit Meeting. He added, ˈMy bilateral visit of Egypt took place last month, and as of the occurrence of the revolution in Egypt this was my fifth visit of that country.ˈ The Iranian foreign minister emphasized, ˈThe level of Iranˈs relations with Egypt has always been improving after the popular revolution in that country and this is due to the existence of the will to do so in both countries, but due to thirty years of frozen relations, at the official level, there are no strong political relations between the two countries and the existing ties are at the level of the interests section offices.ˈ Salehi noted that during the course of those three decades some obstacles have been established whose elimination is in need of passage of some time, reiterating, ˈOn Iranˈs side it has always been announced that readiness for improving the diplomatic relations to the level of exchanging ambassadors as soon as possible exists and our friends in Egypt, too, are moving in the same direction.ˈ Pointing out that he hopes the ground for improving the political relations would be paved as soon as possible, he added, ˈIt would be appropriate for both sides to work with each other aimed at deepening and expanding the relations because if the important regional countries, like Iran, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and beyond the region, Indonesia, which are considered Islamic worldˈs important weights, would cooperate and work together, this would bring great evolution in line with nationsˈ interests that everyone would benefit from it.ˈ Salehi said that materializing that objective is in need of some work, adding, ˈThe two sides are working for achieving that goal and I am optimistic about the future of the two countriesˈ relations.ˈ The IRI foreign minister emphasized that Tehran and Cairo have good political relation today, adding, ˈThe establishment of the quadrilateral Iran-Egypt-Turkey-Saudi Arabia Group, which was formed based on an initiative by Egyptˈs President Mr. Muhammad al-Morsi to consult on Syrian developments, is an example.ˈ Salehi added, ˈI am in constant contact with my Egyptian counterpart so that we would, God willing, be able to find a way out of the ongoing crisis in Syria in collaboration with brother and friend country, Turkey, and also Saudi Arabia.ˈ The Cairo Summit Meeting of the OIC is scheduled for February 6th and 7th and Islamic Republic of Iranˈs President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad would be among the participants at the important international event. The Iranian foreign minister in his visit of Germany participated at the 49th Munich Security Conference and gave a lecture on Sunday at Iran Panel Discussion on the third day of the international event, presenting the Islamic Republic of Iranˈs viewpoints on important regional and international affairs, including the Syria crisis. Salehi after that address answered numerous questions made by the participants at the panel discussion, particularly on Iranˈs peaceful nuclear program, the ambiguities and claims made about it. Salehi on the sidelines of the conference also had meetings with his Italian and German counterparts, as well as the Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati, UN Special Envoy on Syria Affairs Akhzar Ebrahimi, and Head of the opposition Syrian National Coalition Sheikh Ahmad Maaz al-Khatib, on issues of bilateral interest and regional developments. On Monday afternoon and last day of his visit of Germany, Salehi attended the Building of German Foreign Policy Council and gave a lecture at a gathering of German politicians, analysts and academicians. Salehi also had some interview with a number of German media during this visit. Around 400 top officials from more than 70 countries met in Germany for the 49th Munich Security Conference. The annual meeting is one of the largest gatherings of its kind and it focused on a wide range of issues including transatlantic relations, the European crisis, US-Russian ties, Mali and Syria. Concerning Iran, the US Vice President Joe Biden said that the US was open to one-to-one talks with Iran, if the Iranian Supreme Leader would be willing to, over its nuclear program, saying diplomacy must be given a chance. Iranian Foreign Minister, Ali Akbar Salehi also told the delegates that Iran is a regional power and the golden key to the region calling for talks on equal terms. He said Washington should first end its threatening rhetoric towards Iran and stop saying that all options are on the table. The prospect of direct talks between the US and Iran was widely welcomed by the delegates. On Saturday, several thousand people took to the streets of Munich to demonstrate against the conference, calling the meeting a source of war. Under the slogan “No Peace with NATO” protesters from 80 organizations spoke out against what they called a colonialist intervention in Mali, the preparation of a war on Syria and demanded the lifting of sanctions on Iran./end