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Iran and Egypt seek improved ties despite differences: Khatami
Tehran, Dec 13: The Presidents of Iran and Egypt, whose countries have had strained relations since the Islamic revolution here, have agreed at landmark talks to seek improved ties, according to Iran`s President Mohammad Khatami.
Tehran, Dec 13: The Presidents of Iran and Egypt, whose countries have had strained relations since the Islamic revolution here, have agreed at landmark talks to seek improved ties, according to Iran's President Mohammad Khatami.
Khatami and Egypt's Hosni Mubarak agreed that their countries could particularly foster ties in the cultural field, stated Iran’s news agency late yesterday.
"Iran and Egypt favour an extension of ties," but issues remain for both Tehran and Cairo, Khatami was reported as saying.
"Mubarak's point of view on subjects such as Iraq and Palestine are close to those of Iran, but there are certain differences in other areas," he told reporters at Mehrabad airport.
Iran and Cairo severed diplomatic ties in 1980, a year after Cairo gave asylum to the deposed Shah Mohamed Reza Pahlavi and signed the us-brokered Camp David peace accords with Israel.
The two leaders huddled briefly Wednesday outside a UN technology summit in Geneva, the first meeting of top leaders from the two countries since they broke off diplomatic ties after Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution.
A widely publicised handshake between Khatami and Mubarak has highlighted the growing rapport between Iran and the Arab world, eased by the overthrow of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. Bureau Report
"Iran and Egypt favour an extension of ties," but issues remain for both Tehran and Cairo, Khatami was reported as saying.
"Mubarak's point of view on subjects such as Iraq and Palestine are close to those of Iran, but there are certain differences in other areas," he told reporters at Mehrabad airport.
Iran and Cairo severed diplomatic ties in 1980, a year after Cairo gave asylum to the deposed Shah Mohamed Reza Pahlavi and signed the us-brokered Camp David peace accords with Israel.
The two leaders huddled briefly Wednesday outside a UN technology summit in Geneva, the first meeting of top leaders from the two countries since they broke off diplomatic ties after Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution.
A widely publicised handshake between Khatami and Mubarak has highlighted the growing rapport between Iran and the Arab world, eased by the overthrow of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. Bureau Report