TEHRAN -- President Mahmud Ahmadinejad said here on Sunday that the development of Iran-Bahrain ties could serve as an appropriate model for relations between Persian Gulf regional states.

In a meeting with the Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid Bin Ahmad Bin Mohammad al-Khalifa, the president said that there is great potential for the expansion of cooperation among Islamic states.

Countries bordering the Persian Gulf are like a big family facing a common fate. These countries have a common religion and face the same geographical and political situation, he added.

The president noted that maintaining security is essential for progress, adding that the enemies of Islam are attempting to keep regional countries apart, therefore it is essential they develop cooperation in order to boost regional security.

For his part, the Bahraini official referred to the historical, cultural and religious affinities between Iran and Bahrain, saying his country’s officials are determined to expand all-out ties with Iran.

He said that the proper ground is set for the development of bilateral ties, adding that Tehran and Manama should cooperate with each other on important regional and international issues.