Expanding neighborly ties, Iran’s priority: Salehi

Iran’s Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi says expanding relations with neighboring countries is a priority in the Islamic Republic’s foreign policy.

“The priority of Iran’s foreign policy is to regulate relations with neighboring countries, because the Islamic Republic has many common interests with these states,” Salehi said on Sunday.

The Iranian foreign minister made the remarks in a meeting to discuss measures of combatting smuggling in the southeastern border province of Sistan-Baluchestan.

“Expanding and establishing relations with all countries is of importance to the Islamic Republic, but establishing ties with 15 important and strategic neighboring states has more significance,” Salehi added.

He further noted that addressing the problems of the country’s border areas with the aim of facilitating their development and progress was one of the most important agendas of the Foreign Ministry.

“Sistan-Baluchestan is Iran’s only province with direct access to free waters and the ocean, and is adjacent to Afghanistan and Pakistan,” the Iranian foreign minister added.

Salehi said major investments had been made at Iran’s southeastern Chabahar port city, which he described as “very important” for the country and its neighbors.