Egyptian official reveals efforts to open GCC-Iran dialogue

A spokesman for the Egyptian Foreign Ministry revealed on Saturday details of the efforts made to open a dialogue between Iran and the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The basis of the talks will be non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, explained Ahmed Abu Zeid.

He told a meeting of chief diplomatic editors that the Gulf States are concerned by Iranian interference in their internal affairs and have written to Tehran pointing out that improved relations depend on non-interference. They also warned Iran not to tamper with their stability and security.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani visited Kuwait last week where he met the Emir, Shaikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The agenda included bilateral relations and ways to enhance them, as well as the latest regional and international developments.

Informed sources said that the visit aimed to clarify Iran’s position on the Gulf initiative intended to calm regional differences. This was communicated to Tehran last month by Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

The Iranian president arrived in Kuwait from Oman, where he met with Sultan Qaboos Bin Said and discussed a number of issues related to the Iranian nuclear programme as well as the situation in Syria and Yemen. Oman’s attempts to heal the rift in GCC-Iranian relations were also looked at.

Before leaving Tehran for the Omani capital, Rouhani stressed that his country’s policy is based on good neighbourliness and that security in the Gulf is especially important. Iran, he added, has never considered attacking its neighbours or interfering in their internal affairs, and does not seek to impose its political and religious beliefs on others.