Bahrain supports Iran's right on nuclear program
Calling Persian Gulf nations as "neighbors, brothers and coreligionists", President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said, "Expansion of ties between regional countries benefits peace, tranquility and interests of the these countries."
According to Presidential Office Media Department on Saturday evening, the president in a meeting with visiting Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmad Bin Muhammad al-Khalifa said that, "There is no limitation in expansion of ties between Tehran-Manama and the two countries should make their agreements operational." Sheikh Khalid, while submitting Bahraini King's message to President Ahmadinejad, said, "Bahraini King and other senior officials intend to increase cooperation and ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Sheikh Khalid in a meeting with Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki referred to Iran's peaceful nuclear program said, "We support Iran's sovereign right on peaceful nuclear program." According to the Foreign Ministry Media Department, the two foreign ministers discussed international and regional issues as well as ways of consolidating bilateral relations.
Mottaki said there are different grounds and potentials to strengthen ties and continuous consultations between the two foreign ministers will open new chapters in mutual relations.
He added, "In the fields of oil, petrochemicals and gas we are ready to expand bilateral cooperation and hold joint economic commission in April." Iran's foreign minister called current bilateral banking relations 'appropriate' and said, Bushehr governorate general is considering cooperation in the field of mine resources with Bahrain.
Mottaki elaborated on Iran's capacities in technical and engineering services in implementing different projects such as construction, industrial and technical services.
Referring to the necessity of establishment of regional cooperation, the Iranian foreign minister said, strengthening cooperation between Gulf Cooperation Council member states with Iran can lead to strengthening ties and expansion of economic cooperation and will make the regional security more sustainable, while alien presence in the region can be provocative.
Mottaki added, "We support and welcome the United Arab Emirates' proposal on trade cooperation between Iran and PGCC." Concerning Iran's strategy on peaceful nuclear program, the Iranian senior diplomat said, "In our nuclear strategy there is no place for atomic weapons." The Bahraini foreign minister, for his part, expressed pleasure over good mutual ties and said, " My third visit to Iran indicates my country's serious intention to expand ties with Iran." Hailing approval of agreement on preventing double taxation, he expressed hope that such steps can improve Tehran-Manama ties.
Referring to the presence of Bahraini Oil and Energy Minister in the meeting, Sheikh Khalid stressed his presence here indicated the Bahrain government intention to expand cooperation in all fields of energy and oil with Iran.
