FM Stresses Friendly Co-op With Neighbors To Settle Regional Crises

Tehran, Aug 27, IRNA – Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Iran’s foreign policy is keen to establish the highest level of ties with neighbors and regional states in order to resolve regional crises. Zarif made the remarks in a meeting with his visiting Omani counterpart Youssef bin Alawi. He stressed the importance of boosting bilateral, multilateral and regional cooperation to reach that end. Those who think they will be safe from the consequences of their extremist moves are making mistakes since instability, insecurity and extremism cannot be limited to a specific place, said Zarif. He said chaos and turmoil in the region are rooted in ignoring people’s demands, foreign interference and extremist measures supported by foreign powers. On Iran-Oman ties, Zarif assured that the current visit to Tehran of Oman’s Sultan Qaboos would lead to promotion of bilateral relations. The Iranian foreign minister further stressed implementation of transit agreement inked by Iran, Oman, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, saying the agreement would benefit the whole region. The Omani foreign minister, for his part, reiterated that further expansion of regional cooperation would help settle regional crises. Bin Alawi then called for serious efforts to make the transit project operational. Describing the project as important, bin Alawi said Iran is center of regional transit. The two also discussed the latest regional developments, and expressed concern over growing tension in Egypt, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, Tunisia and Bahrain./end