Islands dispute is a global issue, says Greek minister

Dubai: The dispute over the three UAE islands occupied by Iran is a question of international law but Tehran has rejected any such intervention, the Greek foreign minister said yesterday.

Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said Athens understands the problem as Greece has a similar situation with Turkey.

The UAE last week made an impassioned appeal to Tehran to solve the issue and said Abu Dhabi would respect the verdict of the International Court of Justice "regardless of its outcome".

Iran has been occupying the islands of Abu Mousa and Greater and Lesser Tunbs and has stationed forces there since the 1970s.

The minister, responding to a question, also hoped that Iran would "reconsider" its decision [to go ahead with its nuclear programme] for the "benefit of the Iranian people".

"The EU is actively taking part to intervene in the [nuclear] problem," she said.

But she said Tehran had rejected its proposal. She said Athens is a "good friend" of the Arab world and has taken a leading role in promoting peace and security in the region.

She said while political ties with the UAE are "excellent" more must be done on the economic front. She is leading a 90-member team of businessmen who have signed more than five million euros of contracts in the last two days.

"There is a huge potential in working together," she said.