ABU DHABI Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said here Saturday night that Iran's ties with countries of the region and the world have developed considerably from qualitative point of view. He said the resolve of Iran and Saudi Arabia to promote bilateral ties has had positive impacts on Iran's relations with other countries. Kharrazi also referred to settlement of complicated problems with European countries, successful holding of the 8th Summit of the Organization of Islamic Conference in Tehran last December and Iran's active presence in international fora as instances of successful record of Iran's foreign policy.

The return to Tehran of European ambassadors and exchange of delegations between Iran and various countries are signs of the might, prestige and honor of the Islamic Republic, he said. Iran's political performance in the past year demonstrated to the world that the Iranian nation is a powerful one which does not surrender to anybody. Kharrazi said Iran is ready to establish relations with world countries on the basis of mutual respect provided that they do not intend to dictate their policies to Iran. Meanwhile, in a meeting with his UAE counterpart Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the two foreign ministers stressed the necessity of strengtheing mutual friendship and cooperation and helping to preserve security and stability in the Persian Gulf region.

Sheikh Hamdan expresed hope that Kharrazi's visit will produce positive results. Kharrazi voiced Iran's willingness to expand friendly ties with regional countries saying Iran attaches great importance to peace, stability and economic development of the region. He also stressed the necessity of realizing the existing realities in the region and forging cooperation to strengthen amity among regional countries. (IRNA)