Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif discussed regional issues and bilateral relations in separate meetings with his Kuwaiti, Uzbek and Turkish counterparts as well as the secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on the sidelines of the 42nd session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of OIC member states which ends today.
In a meeting with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah, the two officials discussed the latest developments in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, calling for a strong campaign against terrorist groups, especially the so-called Islamic State (IS), Fars news agency reported on Wednesday.
On bilateral relations, Zarif pointed to the good economic cooperation with the Arab country and expressed Tehran's readiness to expand ties in cultural and political spheres.
The Kuwaiti minister, for his part, urged increased political consultations as well as enhanced bilateral and regional cooperation with the Islamic Republic.
"The joint (Iran-Kuwait) commission needs to work more intensively than ever before," he said, noting that an appropriate time should be set for the next meeting of the commission.
Sabah also expressed the hope that Iran will reach a comprehensive accord in the negotiations with the major powers on its nuclear program, saying the agreement would be of significance in view of its implications for regional stability, security and cooperation.
***Uzbek Ties
Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov came to visit Zarif in his residence in Kuwait. Referring to successful bilateral collaboration in the past, the Uzbek minister called for expansion of bilateral ties.
Kamilov raised the issue of insecurity in the border areas of Central Asian countries and called for bilateral and multilateral cooperation with regional states in an effort to help establish and maintain regional stability and security.
Zarif, in turn, referred to the meeting of the joint commission of the two countries, which will be held in Tashkent next week, hoping the event will set the stage for further utilization of the capacities of both sides.
Describing terrorism as "a serious regional threat," he underlined mutual cooperation among countries to counter the menace, especially in the Central Asian region.
***UN Action
In a separate meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, the two diplomats discussed the critical situation in Yemen and called on the UN to play a more active role in helping the war-ravaged nation.
Voicing concern over the ongoing crises in the region, Zarif warned that "if regional states fail to effectively combat the inhuman phenomenon, insecurity and instability will undoubtedly spread throughout the Middle East."
Cavusoglu, in turn, referred to national dialogue as the sole way to help end crisis in Yemen and appealed for immediate humanitarian aid to the war-hit nation, stressing the need to exchange views with Iranian officials in this regard.
***Muslim Solidarity
In another meeting with OIC Secretary General Iyad bin Amin Madani, the two officials said the OIC is able to take measures to help promote unity and solidarity among Muslim nations.
"We are firmly determined in our cooperation with the OIC, since we believe the organization should address the developments and challenges facing the Muslim world," Zarif noted.
Describing terrorism and extremism as "common threats to the world," the minister highlighted the necessity of taking more serious measures to deal with the states that have contributed to instability and insecurity in the region.
On the crisis in Yemen, Zarif asked the OIC to encourage all Yemeni groups to sit at the negotiating table to help defuse the crisis in the shortest time.
The OIC secretary general, for his part, praised Iran's cooperation in drawing up the organization's new 10-year plan (2015-2025).
