Iranian parliament firm to reduce ties with UAE: MP

April 12, 2011 - 0:0

TEHRAN -- MP Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh says that the Iranian parliament is serious in continuing its review of downgrading ties with the United Arab Emirates.

The cooperation of the UAE with the Bahraini government in cracking down on the popular uprising in the country, and the anti-Iran stance it adopted at the recent meeting of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council are some of the reasons behind the firm decision made by the Iranian parliament, Falahatpisheh told reporters in Tehran on Monday.
Pointing to the plan drawn up by the Majlis Foreign Policy Committee in March which requires the reduction of Iran’s ties with the UAE, he said that the committee is scrutinizing the plan and exploring practical ways to implement it.
Trade relations between Tehran and Abu Dhabi merely benefit the Emirates, so the maintenance of relations with this country is not in the interests of Iran, added Falahatpisheh, who is the Majlis Foreign Policy Committee chairman.
He also stated that the UAE have adopted a negative stance toward Iran and certain other countries in the region.
Instead of fostering unity among the regional nations, the UAE is turning the people against each other, the MP added.
Falahatpisheh also said that the Iranian nationals are not treated well in the Emirates