(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa made the remarks in an interview with the London-based Arabic daily Asharq Alawsat published on Thursday. His comments were later translated into English.
“I would like to thank Mr. Salehi since he has been so serious to normalize the relations between the two countries,” Khalid stated.
He also commented on the meeting he held with Salehi in New York on September 26 and said, “During the meeting, we agreed to take confidence-building measures.”
He also stated that both sides had agreed to hold a meeting and neither him nor Salehi had requested the meeting.
In addition, Khalid described the meeting as “serious” and “important” saying it was the first meeting between Iranian and Bahraini officials at ministerial level since disagreement arose between the two countries over pro-democracy movement in Bahrain.
Asked what issues were discussed in the meeting, the Bahrain foreign minister said, “A number of political steps were discussed, which I cannot mention since the remarks should be conveyed to the leaders (of the two countries).”
“However, a number of diplomatic steps have been taken by the two countries and more steps will be taken in future meetings which would help strengthen cooperation. I can say that the meeting was a good start and showing photos of the meeting to the people of Bahrain and Iran” would help calm down the situation, he added.
Khalid added, “In the meeting, a number of (other) issues were also discussed… and he (Salehi) made sincere efforts to explain the Islamic Republic of Iran’s stance, and we thank him. I cannot say that I am very optimistic, but I can say that I feel the situation improved after the meeting.”
He also expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that Iran and Bahrain do not currently have ambassadors to each other’s country.
On the role that Iran can play to help resolve the situation in Bahrain, he stated that if the Bahraini people “see that Bahrain and Iran, as a major power in the region, are in serious talks over stability in the region, they will come to know that we are not in a state of hostility since hostility will have adverse consequences.”
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