DAR AL ISLAM - BAHRAIN/IRAN: THE TWO COUNTRIES RESPECT EACH OTHER'S INTEGRITY & SOVEREIGNTY

‘No designs on Bahrain’
Iran never sought to extend rule beyond borders: Motaki
Committee to be set up to look into bilateral ties: Shaikh Khaled
by Ajit John
Chief Reporter

Bahrain and Iran yesterday sought to defuse a potential diplomatic row following remarks in a hardline Iranian newspaper that the Kingdom belonged to Iran which sparked widespread protests and condemnation in the country.

“The two countries respect each other’s integrity and sovereignty, and statements made by individuals in their capacity or newspapers should not and will not come in the way of strengthening ties between the two nations,” Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Motaki told mediapersons at a joint Press conference with his Bahraini counterpart Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa.

The visiting minister was reacting to comments made by the editor of Iranian newspaper ‘Kayhan,’ that Bahrain was a province of Iran and that the Island’s people wanted to return to the country.

Echoing similar sentiments, Shaikh Khaled said he had received assurances from Motaki on the controversial issue, and the two countries, in fact, had decided to form a committee that would discuss bilateral relations in all its aspects.

The committee, which would be set up after Ramadhan, would meet in Bahrain. “Motaki’s visit was aimed at clarifying the situation (arising out of the daily’s comment) and not apologise which Bahrain had not sought,” he said.

Motaki said his job was to ensure that Iran had good relations with countries in the region and the committee would provide both sides with the perfect platform to discuss issues.
Replying to questions, Motaki reiterated that statements made by NGOs and MPs do not detract from the stated position of the state to maintain friendly relations with the rest of the world.

Stating that Iran had never attacked any country, he said: “We have no plans for expansion, that is not part of our culture. We have never been conquered and have never sought to extend our rule beyond our borders.” On the question of ownership of disputed islands, he said there would be no discussion on these islands which belonged to Iran.
The two countries also discussed cooperation in the oil sector and the ongoing negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Iran’s stand on nuclear policy.

Motaki said he hoped that a position of mutual interest would be reached soon between IAEA and Iran whereby the right to produce nuclear power for peaceful purposes would be respected.
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Pertinent Links:

1) ‘No designs on Bahrain’