FM: Resumption of Iran-Egypt Relations Needs Time

"Egypt is currently under certain pressure. Yet, the Egyptian government and nation are in consensus about the improvement of relations with Iran as soon as possible," Salehi said on Sunday. 

After the collapse of Hosni Mubarak's regime, the Iranian and Egyptian officials voiced their interest in the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries and Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi officially invited his Egyptian counterpart Nabil al-Arabi to pay a visit to Tehran. 

The invitation letter was submitted to the Egyptian foreign minister during a meeting between Director of Iran's Interest Section in Cairo Mojtaba Amani and al-Arabi. 

Egyptian daily, al-Ahram quoted the spokesman of the Egyptian foreign ministry as saying that Salehi in his message had lauded the recently uttered positive remarks by al-Arabi about the promotion of bilateral ties with Iran. 

Al-Arabi in his first press conference last month announced Cairo's preparedness to open "a new page with Iran". 

The official went on to say that the Egyptian government does not see Iran as an enemy state, noting the two countries have historically rooted relations. 

He further stated that establishment of diplomatic ties depends on the Iranian side. 

In reply, Salehi also said that Iran is ready to resume relations with Cairo. 

The Iranian foreign minister and his Egyptian counterpart also held a meeting in Bali, Indonesia, on Wednesday. 

During the meeting which took place on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the two diplomats conferred on ways to promote the bilateral relations between Tehran and Cairo, and stressed the need for continued consultations in this regard. 

Al-Arabi had earlier announced that Cairo would soon open a new page with Iran.