Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on Saturday stressed Iran-Bahrain brotherly ties. In a joint press conference with his Bahraini counterpart, Mottaki said: "Tehran and Manama fully respect the two countries' national sovereignty, solidarity and territorial integrity."
"Allegations by some media or some people statements in both countries are in contrast with this the two sides' clear policy and are not acceptable," he added.
Referring to the will of both countries to boost economic, political and security ties, Mottaki said, "A joint economic committee lead by Iranian and Bahraini Foreign Ministers will be held after (the holy) month of Ramadhan." According to IRIB, he said that in the previous visit by the Bahraini FM and Oil Minister to Tehran, formation of a joint gas committee was agreed upon, adding that the members of the committee are selected.
On his part Bahrain's FM, Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmad al-Khalifa, said, "Currently the two countries' relations are sincere, brotherly and friendly," adding that all the ambiguities were removed after Saturday's meeting with Mr. Mottaki. "We hope bilateral relations improve," he said.
Mottaki's visit came after a newspaper article by the editor of a hardline Iranian newspaper claimed that Bahrain is part of Iran and should be returned. This comment has provoked uproar in the Gulf Arab kingdom.
