Leading Kuwaiti journalists delegation concludes visit to Iran

The Kuwaiti delegation of prominent journalists concluded its visit to Iran, the first visit of its kind by a GCC delegation since the Iranian revolution of 1979, and it was described as "positive and fruitful." In a statement to KUNA, coordinator of this visit and treasurer of the Kuwait Journalists Association (KJA) Adnan Al-Rashid thanked the Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi, Kuwait News Agency, as well as the Kuwaiti and Iranian ambassadors for facilitating this visit."This visit was positive and professional on all levels. The meetings were transparent, honest, and direct in discussing and exchanging views of current mutual issues that concern both countries," Al-Rashid noted.For their part, Iranian top figures welcomed the Kuwaiti delegation, headed by KJA's Chairman Ahmad Behbahani, and expressed their aspiration to promote relations with the state of Kuwait in all domains.During the visit, the Kuwaiti delegation had met with the Iranian President Mamoud Almadinejad, Iranian Minister of Islamic Culture and Guidance Mohammad Hoseini, the leading religious figure Nasir makarim Al-Shirazi, and the Isfahan Governor Ali Rida Isfahani.The Iranian President stressed in a comprehensive dialogue with the Kuwaiti delegation that "Iran desires to establish solid and brotherly ties with the other states of the Gulf region." Iran's foreign minister meanwhile said that "Iran and Kuwait haves historic bonds", describing Iran as a "friendly neighbor of Kuwait." He called for enhancing media and cultural communications which would be in the best interest of both countries.The Iranian Minster of Islamic Culture and Guidance Mohammad Hoseini noted that "the Kuwaiti-Iranian ties are deeply-rooted and are based on common issues that concern the two countries." Nasir Marakrim Al-Shirazi, one of Iran's leading religious figures, called for unity among Muslims and stressed the necessity of exchanging religion-related visits between Kuwait and Iran.Furthermore, the Kuwaiti Ambassador to Iran Majdi Al-Dhufiri had hosted a meeting at his residence where the visiting Kuwaiti delegation and a number of Iranian religious and media figures freely exchanged views on the importance of media in strengthening ties between nations.