The Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Akbar Salehi, plans to visit the United Arab Emirates in the near future, a spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Ramin Mehmanparast, said today, Trend reports.
Salehi will visit the UAE to take part in a joint economic commission of Iran and the UEA. The sides agreed on the terms of holding the session.
Abu Musa Island and the Big and Smal Tanb are a subject of disputes between Iran and the UAE. Iran was the owner of the islands. However, British colonial conquerors took control of them and established a military base. Britain handed the islands to the UAE when they proclaimed independence. The islands were officially returned to Iran on November 30, 1971. The UAE refuses to recognize the return. The UAE is a trade partner of Iran in the Gulf. Arab media say that 400,000 Iranians live in the UAE.
