Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 19
Trend:
Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif calls for the settlement of the confrontation between Iran and Saudi Arabia in interests of the whole Middle-East region.
“Such a confrontation is absolutely needless and even dangerous. Let’s adjust it and try to get rid of the problem that has already affected the situation in Yemen, Syria and the whole region. Let’s try to hold back expansion of the confrontation and not intensify it,” Zarif said addressing the Middle-East Valdai conference in Moscow, according to Russian RIA Novosti agency.
Tehran and Riyadh could cooperate on Iraq, Syria and other issues, he added.
“We don’t have any problems with Saudi Arabia trying to play a constructive role in Iraq. That is right at least. We try to somehow correct the 10—15-year old mistakes. There were attempts to sponsor development projects and we welcome such activity,” Iran’s FM said, adding that Iraq’s position on the issue must be considered also.
“There is a possibility for cooperation between all countries of the Middle East. We can step towards development and prosperity,” Zarif added.
But one side’s interests mustn’t be followed to the detriment of others’, he noted.
“Saudi Arabia has to work with other powers of the Middle East: with Bahrain, with Syria and with Iraq as well,” Zarif concluded.