The United Arab Emirates is willing to further expand bilateral ties with Iran, Sheikh Zayed al-Nahyan told his counterpart President Mohammed Khatami in a telephone contact Saturday.
The two leaders reviewed bilateral ties in all fields as well the latest development in the Middle East, reported the official Iranian news agency (IRNA), citing a statement by Khatami’s office.
“President Khatami wished the UAE President good health and hoped for the broadening of the two countries' economic and political relations based on
goodwill and wise policies adopted by both countries' leaders,” said the statement.
The islands dispute was not mentioned during the two leaders’ discussions.
Both Iran and the UAE have said they will never retract their claims to the strategic islands, which Iran has held since 1971 when Britain pulled out of the region.
Last week, Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi said that his country had documents proving Iran's sovereignty over the three Gulf islands.
"Iran has historical documents proving that these islands, which are a cause of conflict with the Emirates," belong to the Islamic Republic, the Iranian foreign minister said.
"We are ready to submit these documents to our Emirati brothers, in order to make the issue absolutely clear," he said at a news conference.
He also regretted that the "UAE did not respond to Iranian initiatives aimed at solving the conflict."
Iran has rejected an appeal by the Arab leaders at the March Arab summit, calling on the Muslim country to accept international arbitration – Albawaba.com
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