He also said “collective cooperation” between regional countries would best guarantee regional economic development and security in the Persian Gulf.
“The relation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Persian Gulf littoral states has always been friendly and it is favorable at the current time and progressing,” Mottaki told reporters on Monday.
“We believe that the situation and developments in the region has made dialogue between neighboring countries more essential than ever.”
He said regional countries should hold more “consultations” about regional issues.
“We have expressed our readiness for cooperation with the (Persian Gulf) Cooperation Council in different political, economic and security areas.
“And specifically in my meeting with the Saudi Arabian officials in the Arab League meeting in Riyadh and in later meetings with the official members of Cooperation Council I raised the specific proposal of our country for establishing a joint defense pact which was welcomed by these countries.
He said Iran believes that such cooperation will benefit the regional countries and influence international developments.
The Iranian top diplomat maintained that “collective cooperation between regional countries” would best guarantee “regional progress” and establishing “security in the Persian Gulf.”
However, he added, regional countries should not allow certain elements and outside powers to disrupt this goal by creating suspicions or tension between neighbors.
Iran’s stance toward Iraq
The foreign minister said Iran’s stance toward Iraq is “transparent.”
“We support the legal and elected government of Iraq, help the political process in the country, insist on territorial integrity and unity of Iraq and call for the withdrawal of occupiers and believe that establishing stability and security in Iraq should be given priority.”
Iran’s nuclear program
Mottaki said the PGCC members have always insisted that Iran has absolute right to nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
“In last year’s meeting of the heads of the Cooperation Council in Riyadh the Arab states insisted on attaining nuclear technology which we welcomed it.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has repeatedly announced that it is ready to share its valuable experiences in nuclear technology with them with the cooperation of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
“And recently Mr. Saud Al-Faisal (Saudi foreign minister) proposed the formation of a nuclear consortium between Iran and the Cooperation Council which was welcomed.”
The minister added that nuclear cooperation would open a “new phase” in relations between Persian Gulf littoral states.
MS/HB
END
MNA
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