During his recent visit to Kuwait, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said his country wants the best of relations with Gulf Arab countries. "We want to be a good neighbour," he was quoted as saying.
The six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states have for long called for ideal ties with the Islamic republic, considering the historical relations between the peoples on the two sides of the Arabian Gulf.
To achieve that, the GCC has always called on Iran to solve the pending issue of its occupation of the three UAE islands Abu Mousa, the Greater Tunbs and the Lesser Tunbs through peaceful means; either negotiations or by referring it to international arbitration.
The UAE still awaits the Iranians to respond positively to these calls. Everyone in this region hopes Tehran understands the seriousness of the issue and acts accordingly, especially when Iran is being threatened by external powers because of its nuclear programme.
But to add insult to injury, Iran continues to act contrary to what its president promises. The recent detention of UAE fishermen by Iranian coastguards, who were sailing in UAE territorial waters, is just another example of regional bullying
This is not the first time. It happened last June as well. We are sure the fishermen will be released eventually. But the frequent harassment and detention of UAE nationals is never the sign of good neighbouring. It adds to the tension, which the GCC states have all along been warning against. Iranian authorities are urged to release the fishermen and refrain from repeatedly harassing citizens of neighbouring countries.
The GCC foreign ministers, who have just met in Saudi Arabia, again called on Iran to address the issue of the occupied islands as the best way to improve regional ties. We hope Tehran this time listens to the voice of reason.
