Iranian media hails historic visit and expresses optimism about ties

Dubai: Iran's media on Tuesday hailed the historic visit by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to Tehran on Monday and expressed optimism about UAE-Iran relations.

Newspapers said the two countries' "shared a common fate" and mutual interests as guarantors of good relations.

An opinion piece in the Arabic language Al Vefagh by Museeb Nuaimi capitalised on the historic relations between Iran and the UAE, citing the size of the Iranian community in the UAE and the amount of Iranian capital in the UAE, which he said amounted to $400 billion (about Dh1.4 trillion).

He also said that the "one thousand flights" between the two countries every month and the "fleet" of vessels that take goods and people back and forth between the UAE and Iran contributed to good relations.

Shaikh Mohammad's trip to Iran was "very important in its potential to take bilateral relations to maximum limits", wrote Nuaimi, "since the region is going through difficult times which require brave measures".

The geographic proximity of the two countries means that they share the same fate, he said. "They don't need to see eye to eye on all issues. But the exchange of views helps create a positive environment and a bright future".

The longstanding cultural experience between the two countries was encouraging in creating an exemplary relationship between Iran and the UAE, added Nuaimi. "So we welcome Shaikh Mohammad with the hope that this trip will be up to the aspirations of the people and the despair of the enemy"

An opinion piece in Kayhan by Armin Hedayati entitled 'Reciprocity' focused on the Arab Gulf states' determination to keep relations with Iran healthy, citing visits to Iran by a number of Gulf officials in the recent months.

"Iran and the UAE lie in the strategic region and on the opposite sides of the Gulf. We share similar interests and concerns about security and peace in the region," he wrote.

Iran's friendly attitude with the UAE was "essential" because of the number of Iranian expatriates and businesses that the UAE hosts, he said, adding that Iranian businesses played an important role in Dubai's efforts to become a global business hub.

"Dubai is also of immense economic significance for Tehran as it is one of the largest economic partners of the Islamic state," he added.