UAE, Iran hold talks to enhance bilateral ties

ISTANBUL (AA) – The foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Iran held talks on Thursday to discuss ways of boosting bilateral relations.

This came in a phone call that Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan received from his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the Emirati state news agency WAM reported.

“During the conversation, the two sides discussed bilateral relations and ways to push them forward and enhance them in the common interest of the two neighboring countries and the region,” WAM said.

The two diplomats also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern, the agency said.

Bin Zayed expressed the UAE’s keenness “to enhance cooperation with neighboring countries in a way that will consolidate the pillars of security and stability in the region and achieve the aspiration of their people for development and prosperity," WAM said.

In recent months, Emirati officials have made several visits to Iran to enhance trade and economic cooperation.

Abu Dhabi said recently that it is in the process of returning its ambassador to Tehran after a rupture for years.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat