Iranian, UAE foreign ministers call for stronger bilateral ties

The flags of United Arab Emirates and Iran are pictured during a national event at the Iranian Pavilion of Expo 2020, in the Gulf emirate of Dubai on Feb 7, 2022. (PHOTO / AFP)

TEHRAN – The Iranian foreign minister and his counterpart of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday agreed to expand cooperation in various fields.

During a phone call, Iran's Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and UAE's Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan agreed to expand cooperation in various fields, including the private sector, said the Iranian Foreign Ministry's website.

In early April, Iran appointed its first ambassador to UAE since 2016 amid thawing relations. The UAE reinstated its ambassador in Tehran in September, 2022

Amir-Abdollahian said the bilateral relations are improving, and active meetings and exchanges between the two countries' officials are underway, stressing that Iran has no limits to all-out expansion of its relations with the UAE.

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Sheikh Abdullah, for his part, said promoting bilateral relations in various fields bears on the two countries' common interests, adding there are diverse opportunities to enhance cooperation.

The top UAE diplomat said he noticed an array of regional countries have seen strengthened bilateral ties lately, including the normalization between Iran and Saudi Arabia, and the development in Syria.

In early April, Iran appointed its first ambassador to UAE since 2016 amid thawing relations. The UAE reinstated its ambassador in Tehran in September, 2022.

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In 2016, the UAE downgraded its relations with Iran after Riyadh cut diplomatic ties with Tehran.