(MENAFN- Arab Times) Tehran june 2 (agencies): his highness the amir of kuwait sheikh sabah al-ahmad al-jaber al-sabah and president of the islamic republic of iran dr hassan rouhani vowed monday joint work to strengthen bilateral relations and materialize people's aspirations. 'the two leaders underlined the need to continue efforts aiming at further ameliorating bilateral cooperation and optimal exploitation of capabilities to meet demands and aspirations of the people of their countries' reads a joint statement on the occasion of conclusion of his highness the amir's two-day visit to tehran.
the statement added that 'the two leaders expressed their satisfaction over the march of bilateral relations and the growing cooperation between the two countries. 'they consider the positive outcome of his highness the amir of kuwait's official visit to iran as an important turning point in the relations between the two nations.' the leaders have agreed on the need to continue reciprocal visits and hold meetings among senior officials of the two countries. 'the two leaders welcomed the signing of several agreements and memorandums of understanding for cooperation between their two governments in various areas.
they underscored the importance of putting into effect all the previously-signed bilateral agreements.' the statement reiterated that the visit of his highness the amir to iran comes within the framework of the efforts exerted to maintain promote and develop relations between the two friendly countries in different domains to materialize ambitions of the leaders and the interests of people. it noted that his highness the amir's visit came upon an invitation from president of the islamic republic of iran dr hassan rouhani. 'dr rouhani's official reception of his highness sheikh sabah al-ahmad al-jaber al-sabah and his accompanying delegation reflected the great brotherly feelings and the strong relations between the two countries' reads the statement.
during this visit his highness sheikh sabah held talks with the leader of islamic revolution ali khamenei and iranian president dr rouhani. 'his highness the amir's talks with the two leaders focused on bilateral relations issues of common interest particularly means to develop bilateral cooperation in various fields as well as important issues relative to the region muslim world and the whole world.' the statement described the talks as friendly frank and transparent. 'president of the islamic republic of iran and his highness the amir of kuwait put forward a number of issues of common concern ? especially bilateral relations regional developments and challenges facing the muslim world.' 'they asserted the need to continue bilateral and multilateral consultations to address the challenges and resolve the problems of the region as well as overcome concerns regarding the region's security and stability.' the two leaders voiced concern over the growing threat of extremism violence and sectarian conflicts in the region and stressed the need to promote moderation in the region and called for a global commitment to un resolutions relating to the establishment of a world free from violence and extremism.
the statement pointed out that the iranian side briefed the kuwaiti side on the developments of the ongoing negotiations between iran and group (5+1) on the iranian nuclear file. 'the iranian leader reiterated his country's desire to forge ahead with the negotiation process to reach a final agreement as per schedule. meanwhile the kuwaiti side expressed satisfaction with the progress of the negotiations on this file' reads the statement. at the end of the visit his highness the amir sheikh sabah al-ahmad al-jaber al- sabah thanked the iranian government and expressed appreciation of the warm reception and hospitality. his highness the amir invited president rouhani to visit kuwait. the invitation was welcomed by president rouhani and a time would be set for it later through diplomatic channels.
iranian supreme leader ayatollah ali khamenei who has the final say on all state matters sounded a conciliatory note on the second day of the kuwaiti leader's visit. iranian state tv quoted him as saying that regional security 'depends on good relations among all countries of the region' and that differences between them will only benefit their common enemies. he expressed hope for 'a new chapter' of economic relations between iran and kuwait. trade between the two stands at about $220 million according to state television.
it was sheikh sabah's first trip to iran since he became amir of kuwait which has a sizable shiite minority in 2006. kuwait's first deputy premier and foreign minister sheikh sabah al khalid al sabah described earlier talks between the amir and rouhani as 'constructive' and said it was important for countries in the region to have normal relations with iran according to the official kuwait news agency.
the amir is the second gulf leader to visit iran since rouhani's election last summer. sultan qaboos bin said the ruler of oman ? which has long sought to balance relations with both iran and the west ? visited in august. rouhani reciprocated the gesture earlier this year. iranian officials have invited other arab leaders to visit as well. saudi arabia last month extended an offer for iranian foreign minister mohammad javad zarif to visit the kingdom though no trip has been confirmed.
his highness the amir and his official accompanying delegation have since returned home from iran where he was on a two-day official state visit. his highness the amir was received at the airport by his highness the crown prince sheikh nawaf al-ahmad al-jaber al-sabah national assembly speaker marzouq ali al- ghanim senior sheikhs deputy chairman of the national guard sheikh meshaal al-ahmad al-jaber al-sabah minister of amiri diwan affairs sheikh nasser sabah al-ahmad al- sabah cabinet ministers governors senior state officials and army police and national guard commanders.
during his visit to iran his highness the amir was accompanied by a delegation that comprised first deputy prime minister and foreign minister sheikh sabah al-khaled al- hamad al-sabah deputy premier and minister of commerce and industry abdulmohsen al-madaj minister of finance anas al-saleh minister of oil and minister of state for national assembly affairs ali al- omair his highness the amir's office chief ahmad al-fahad amiri diwan advisors mohammad abu al-hassan and adel al- tabtabai amiri protocol chief sheikh khaled al-abdullah al-sabah undersecretary of the foreign ministry khaled al-jarallah and several senior officials of the amiri diwan and the ministries of foreign affairs oil and finance. his highness the amir on monday sent a cable of thanks to iran's supreme leader ali khamenei following his official state visit to iran.
in his cable his highness the amir said he was so happy to visit this friendly country which would contribute to upgrading the level of bilateral cooperative relations in the near future for the common interest of both nations. his highness the amir also wished the supreme leader of iran well-being and iran more development and prosperity. his highness the amir sheikh sabah al- ahmad al-jaber al-sabah also sent a cable of thanks to iranian president hassan rouhani thanking him for warm welcome and hospitality.
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