UAE and Iran cement ties

Abu Dhabi: The first visit ever by an Iranian head of state to the UAE yesterday resulted in the setting up of a joint committee, headed by the respective foreign ministers, WAM reported.

The decision was taken during talks held here yesterday between President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who arrived in Abu Dhabi earlier on a two-day state visit.

The landmark visit is the first by an Iranian leader in the history of the UAE and comes at a critical time in the region.

The talks were attended by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and senior officials from both sides.

Shaikh Khalifa "expressed hope the visit would further boost bilateral ties in the interest of their peoples," WAM said. The leaders reviewed ways to boost relations, particularly in economy and trade.

The UAE is currently Iran's largest trading partner. Iranian non-oil imports from the UAE amounted to $7.67 billion in the Iranian year to May 2006, about 20 per cent of its total, according to figures by AFP.

The leaders also discussed current affairs in the Middle East, especially the situation in Iraq and Palestine. WAM quoted Shaikh Khalifa as stressing the importance of achieving national reconciliation in Iraq and reviving the Middle East peace process.

"Shaikh Khalifa also reiterated the UAE's commitment to achieving a just, permanent and comprehensive peace, security and stability in the Mideast by eliminating all the causes of the tension, particularly in the Arabian Gulf region," WAM reported.

"There is a need for the international community to take into serious consideration the collective interest of all countries and peoples in the region," Shaikh Khalifa said.

Meanwhile, Iran's Mehr news agency quoted Ahmadinejad as saying "with each other's help, we can turn the [Arabian] Gulf to the gulf of peace and friendship."

The Iranian President was later received by Shaikh Mohammad in Dubai. Ahmadinejad later addressed Iranian businessmen and expats at the Iranian Club.