Iran`s deputy FM describes talks with PGCC officials as fruitful

TEHRAN, Dec. 17 (MNA) – Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian described his recent negotiations with officials of a number of countries member to the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council as fruitful. He made the remarks on Thursday, in which he explained the purpose of his regular tour of the Persian Gulf littoral states. In his three-day tour, which started on December 13 and ended on December 15, Amir-Abdollahian made visits to Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait and negotiated with these countries’ officials on bilateral issues and regional developments. The developments taking place in Bahrain, Syria, and Yemen were specifically addressed, he said. In reply to a question about how the problems facing the Bahraini people should be resolved, he said that Iran believes that there is no military solution to those problems and some practical and tangible measures should be taken. The withdrawal of foreign military forces from this country would be the first step toward mending the rift between the people and the government, he stated. Amir-Abdollahian also emphasized that necessary efforts should be made to prevent foreign intervention in Syria and to help the Syrian nation and government stand up to the Zionist regime. On his negotiations with Kuwaiti officials, he said that holding talks between Iranian and Kuwaiti officials will help achieve a mutual understanding which would pave the way for the maintenance of security in the region by regional forces. In the negotiations held, Iran also called for the expansion of ties with neighboring countries, he said. Elsewhere in his remarks, Amir-Abdollahian commented on the fact that a number of Kuwaiti officials had expressed concern over the safety of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, saying that he assured them that the plant meets the highest safety standards. He also said that after Iran successfully launched its first satellite on February 2, 2009, the people of the region acknowledged that Iranian experts have great capabilities in this sphere.