Speaking to reporters on Monday evening, Zarif underlined that he reached consensus with the officials of Kuwait, Oman and Qatar that “regular political consultations in all areas, bilateral visits and organized talks” should continue between Iran and the noted countries even on areas of disagreement such as the crisis in Syria.
Describing strong ties with regional states as Tehran’s foreign policy priority, the Iranian foreign minister added, “My interpretation is that these countries as whole are very much interested in opening a new chapter in their ties with the Islamic Republic (of Iran), which we hope will benefit peace and stability as well as the progress of the people of the region.”
“We believe such conflicts of viewpoint should not adversely affect the good neighborly ties of the countries, since we regard Southern Persian Gulf and regional countries as especially significant; and this region’s security is tied to the welfare and economic progress of its people and nations,” the top Iranian diplomat pointed out.
On Sunday, the Iranian foreign minister left Tehran on a tour of the regional countries. In the first leg of his tour, Zarif arrived in the Kuwaiti capital to pay an official visit to the Persian Gulf country. Later on Sunday, Zarif left Kuwait for the Omani capital, Masqat. The Iranian foreign minister departed for the Qatari capital of Doha on Monday and met with senior Arab officials on bilateral ties and regional issues.
