Iranian FM terms Kuwait as "important" neighbor

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Wednesday hailed Kuwait as a "good and important" neighbor of Iran, Tasnim news agency reported.

Zarif also praised the role of Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah in helping boost relations among regional states and called for closer cooperation between the two Persian Gulf countries.

"The Kuwaiti Emir's role in strengthening good neighborliness among regional countries is highly commendable," he was quoted as saying.

Zarif made the remarks in a meeting with his visiting Kuwaiti counterpart, Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah, in Tehran on Wednesday.

For his part, Al-Sabah referred to Iran's regional and international "importance," saying that both neighbors enjoy historical, cultural and religious commonalities.

Al-Sabah arrived in Iran's capital Tehran on Wednesday to discuss relations as well as the latest regional and international developments with Iranian officials.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Bahram Qasemi, said Wednesday the one-day visit by the Kuwaiti foreign minister is part of regular diplomatic meetings between the two neighbors, which have been in close contact for a long time.

As the two neighbors with a lot in common, Iran and Kuwait have always had interaction and consultations in the past, he said, adding that Al-Sabah carries a message from Emir of Kuwait for Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

Earlier, Kuwaiti Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah said the Kuwaiti foreign minister's visit to Tehran is aimed at discussing ties and regional developments with Tehran.

Also, Al-Sabah visits Tehran to prepare the ground for a meeting between Iran and the Persian Gulf Arab states. Endit