Iranian, Emirati officials talk on consular cooperation

Tehran's Ambassador to Abu Dhabi Mohammad Reza Fayyaz and UAE Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Jumaa Mubarak al-Junaibi discussed ways to implement the agreements inked in the meetings of the two countries' Consular and Coastal Guards Committees.During the meeting held in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, the two sides underlined the necessity for the implementation of the agreements. The Iranian diplomat said that implementation of the agreements signed in the two countries' consular meeting would be a key step ahead in the further promotion of the bilateral ties between Iran and the UAE. He also pointed to the two countries' age-old ties, and stressed that the Iranian embassy in Abu Dhabi is resolved to deepen the bilateral relations between the two Muslim nations in different fields. Junaibi, for his part, viewed the recent consular meeting in Tehran as "one of the most successful meetings" of the two sides, and underlined the importance of continued meetings and consultations between the two countries' officials for exchanging views and removing consular problems. "Direct talks between officials and authorities is the best method for resolving the two countries' consular issues," he noted. The Iran-UAE joint Consular Committee held its sixth meeting in Tehran earlier in October in a bid to discuss prospects of consular and visa cooperation and explore ways of facilitating reciprocal visits by the two countries' nationals. Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular, Parliamentary and Iranian Expatriates' Affairs Hassan Qashqavi headed the Iranian side, while the UAE delegation was presided by UAE Assistant Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Tarek Ahmad Al Heidan. UAE Ambassador to Tehran Saif Mohammad Obaid Al Za'abi and representatives from various departments and Ministries from both countries were also present at the meeting.