Pres. Rouhani: Regional security must be ensured by its countries

AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Iran's President described the relations with the friendly and neighbouring country of Qatar friendly and strategic, and emphasised, "Our view of the relations with Qatar is long-term and strategic and we do not look at it in a short-term way."

Speaking in the Qatari Emir's phone call on Saturday, Dr Hassan Rouhani emphasised the development and deepening of relations between the two countries in all fields, especially economic and trade relations, adding, "Despite the conditions made by the coronavirus outbreak, economic relations between the two countries should be reactivated under health protocols".

The President expressed hope that the joint economic commission of the two countries would speed up the Tehran-Doha interaction and remove obstacles, and that the transfer of goods through the ports of the two countries would be gradually resumed and flights between the two countries would resume.

Referring to Qatar's hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Dr Rouhani announced Iran's readiness to provide any kind of assistance to Qatar to better host the world cup, and added, "In this regard, Iran is also ready to provide infrastructure and meet the needs".

In another part of his conversation with the Emir of Qatar, the President emphasised that the security of the region is very important for us, saying, "Due to some US actions in different parts of the world, it has created unacceptable conditions, but by no means do we initiate escalation of tensions and conflict".

"If our tankers in the Caribbean or anywhere in the world face any problems caused by the Americans, they will face problems as well," Dr Rouhani said, referring to the Americans' actions in the Caribbean.

Emphasising that Iran will never be the initiator of any conflict, the President added, "We have always considered the legitimate right to defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity and to serve our national interests, and we hope that the Americans will not make a mistake".

Dr Rouhani emphasised, "We see the current situation in the world as a special condition for joint cooperation, especially with the spread of this disease, but unfortunately, the United States continues its wrong decisions and inhumane behaviour".

"As in the past, we emphasise that the security of our region, especially maritime security in the region, is provided by the countries of the region, and we have always stated our readiness to cooperate more with our neighbours," he said.

Dr Rouhani congratulated the government and people of Qatar on the arrival of Eid al-Fitr and expressed hope that the relations and cooperation between the two countries would be further developed.

In this telephone call, the Emir of Qatar congratulated the government and people of Iran on Eid al-Fitr and emphasised the development of relations with Iran in all fields and said, "I personally pay special attention to economic relations between the two countries, and this is a priority for Qatar".

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani expressed hope that with the joint economic meeting of the two countries, economic and trade relations between Iran and Qatar would be further developed.

The Emir of Qatar also stressed, "Qatar's firm position is that the security of the region must be achieved through the cooperation of all countries in the region, and we, as the countries of the region, must work together to ensure the security of the region's waterways".

Sheikh Tamim added, "We are against any tension and we will do our best to reduce tensions".

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