Iran Supports Development of Regional Ties

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that boosting of cooperation among regional states serves the interests and guarantees development of such countries, voicing his country’s support for any kind of measures which would lead to the expansion of ties among regional states.

A statement released by the Presidential Press Office said that Ahmadinejad made the remarks in a meeting with Georgian Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili here in Tehran on Monday.

During the meeting, the president noted the cultural commonalities and age-old cordial ties of the two countries, and further reiterated the need for the deepening and development of mutual relations in all sectors, including trade, investment, transportation, power and energy.

He said that regional countries should expand bilateral and multilateral ties in the region through recognizing and respecting nations’ independence and cultural identity.

The president also noted the ongoing tension in Georgia-Russia ties, and underscored that regional tensions are detrimental to all states.

He called on both sides to remove the present tension through patience and tolerance in a bid to pave the ground for deeper fraternity and friendship of regional nations, reiterating that the Islamic Republic of Iran is fully prepared to render any kind of cooperation in this regard.

For his part, Georgian Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili pointed out that his country attaches special significance to the expansion of ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran and reminded that Iranians’ rich culture and civilization is a very important factor for the development of Iran’s relations with other countries.

He also called for the development of bilateral and multilateral ties with Tehran, in the energy sector in particular.

The top diplomat also referred to the gloomy relations between his country and Russia and appreciated the help and assistance by the neighboring states, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, for the removal of his country’s problems.

He further stressed Iran’s pivotal regional and international role in soothing tensions and establishing regional peace and stability.

The Georgian Foreign Minister also extended his president’s official invitation to Ahmadinejad to pay a visit to his country.