ID :
182851
Wed, 05/18/2011 - 09:06
Auther :

Larijani Calls for Fostering Close Ties between Tehran-Cairo

TEHRAN,May 18 (FNA)- Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani underlined the Islamic Republic's support for the Egyptian revolution, and called for the resumption of brotherly relations between Tehran and Cairo.
Speaking in a meeting with Egyptian political and social scholars, Larijani described Iran and Egypt as major influential actors among Muslim states, and underlined that the Iranian nation and government has and will support Egypt's popular revolution to the end.

He described the prospect of relations between the two countries as brotherly and friendly and said deeply historic, cultural and religious bonds between Iran and Egypt have laid the groundwork for the expansion of mutual cooperation in all areas.

Larijani said the US, which is strongly opposed to the development of Iran-Egypt ties, seeks to thwart popular movements in Egypt and restore previous reactionary relations in this important Muslim country.

He further viewed the US and establishment of other dictatorial regimes as the two main threats to the future of regional uprisings, including the Egypt revolution, and said, the establishment of democratic parliamentary systems can counter such threats.

Meantime, the Iranian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday underlined Tehran's determination to resume diplomatic ties with Egypt, and said such relations will prove fruitful for not just the two nations, but the entire region.

"As announced many times, relations between Iran and Egypt can yield abundant positive results," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast said Tuesday, adding that officials of both countries are eager to develop the bilateral ties between Tehran and Cairo.

He reiterated that resumption of relations between Iran and Egypt would serve the interests the regional countries as well, and said, "Further attention and emphasis on cooperation and convergence among the regional countries will certainly help the countries of the region to provide for their needs."

After the collapse of Hosni Mubarak's regime, the Iranian and Egyptian officials have frequently voiced their interest in the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Iran's top diplomat Ali Akbar Salehi has officially invited Egypt's newly appointed Foreign Minister Nabil al-Arabi to pay a visit to Tehran.

The invitation letter was submitted to the Egyptian foreign minister during a meeting between Director of Iran's Interest Section in Cairo Mojtaba Amani and al-Arabi.

Al-Arabi in his first press conference earlier last month announced Cairo's preparedness to open "a new page with Iran".

The official went on to say that the Egyptian government does not see Iran as an enemy state, noting the two countries have historically rooted relations.

He further stated that establishment of diplomatic ties depends on the Iranian side.

In reply, Salehi also said that Iran is ready to resume relations with Cairo.



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