UAE and Iran sign agreement to set up a joint committee

Tehran: Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister, and his Iranian counterpart, Manouchehr Mottaki, on Wednesday held talks that centered on bilateral relations.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed to set up a joint UAE-Iran committee.

Shaikh Abdullah described the signing of the MoU as "one of the fruits of the visit to the UAE by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad".

In a press conference, soon after the meeting, Shaikh Abdullah highlighted the historic ties between the two countries. He said the UAE was pushing these ties to a higher horizon, adding that it needs the concerted effort of the leadership of the two countries.

"We shall work to push the relations towards a horizon that would serve the interests of the two peoples," Shaikh Abdullah said.

The Iranian Foreign Minister expressed satisfaction on the setting up of the joint committee, which he described as "an important step in bilateral cooperation between the two countries".

He said the two countries were working harder to boost ties, adding that the Iranian and UAE sides will continue to talk on issues of mutual interest, including developments in the region and the world.

Shaikh Abdullah is scheduled to meet President Ahmadinejad in Kharamabad later on Wednesday.