Iran Fully Prepared for Regional Cooperation: Zarif


TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif expressed the country’s determination to work with regional countries to resolve common problems in the Middle East.

In a Sunday meeting with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani in the Arab country’s capital of Doha, Zarif highlighted the significance of friendly relations with neighbors, Persian Gulf littoral states in particular.

He also stressed the necessity for finding common views in a bid to overcome common problems in the region.

“We are totally prepared for cooperation and consultation with regional countries in bilateral and multilateral levels, and consider it as a necessity,” the Iranian foreign minister said.

Zarif also noted that Tehran favors dialog with its regional friends, saying that the “ongoing problems should finally end.”

Qatar’s Emir, for his part, highlighted the importance of finding political solutions to regional issues, and expressed the hope for resolving regional problems in an optimistic atmosphere with Iran’s help.

He also hailed the historical relations between Tehran and Doha, saying, "We have never had any major problem with Iran and have always supported Iran's nuclear rights."

Zarif, who had earlier visited Kuwait on Sunday, has started his tour of regional states in a bid to explore avenues for bilateral, regional and international cooperation. After visiting Qatar, he left Doha for Iraq late Sunday, and will meet senior Iraqi officials on Monday to discuss a range of regional and international issues.