Azerbaijan, Baku, Aug. 27 / Trend /
Iran will send its ambassador to Cairo after the Egyptian side expresses readiness for this, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi was quoted as saying by MEHR.
"Egypt is interested in strengthening relations with Iran. We are also interested in this. Egypt is one of the most important countries of the Islamic region," Salehi said.
He said Egypt is the "Institute of Islamic Thought."
"Development of the Iran- Egypt relations contributes to stability, security and peace in the region," Salehi emphasized, expressing confidence that the relations between the two countries will be restored in the near future.
In 1979, diplomatic relations were cut off between Egypt and Iran because of the signing of the Camp David peace agreement between Egypt and Israel and also because then-Egyptian President Anwar Sadat granted refuge to the deposed Shah of Iran, Mohammad-Reza Pahlavi.
Tehran, in turn, was strongly against Egypt's peace agreement with Israel. .
In early April, Egypt's Foreign Minister Nabil al-Arabi stated that Cairo is ready to "open a new page" in the history of relations with Iran.
Then, Al-Arabi and Salehi met on May 25 and discussed the prospects for restoring the bilateral relations. Less than a week after, an Egyptian delegation comprising 50 persons arrived in Tehran, where the restoration of diplomatic relations was discussed.
Iran supported the January revolution in Egypt and welcomed the friendly attitude of Egypt. Salehi named the Egyptian delegation's visit as "a step to prepare the grounds for the improvement of the relations" and said Iran is ready for a quick restoration of relations with Egypt.