TEHRAN – Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit has said that the participation of President Mahmud Ahmadinejad in the 28th summit of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council was a positive step towards creating confidence among the Persian Gulf littoral states.

Ahmadinejad responded positively to an invitation by Arab neighbors to participate in the 28th PGCC summit in Doha on November 30.
The president submitted 12 proposals meant to “reinforce brotherly ties” and “promote cooperation” among Persian Gulf states at the meeting.
In an interview with the London-based Asharq Alawsat Newspaper published on Saturday, Abul Gheit expressed hope that the president’s attendance in the meeting will pave the way for “establishing better relations” between Iran and the PGCC countries.
The top official said relations between Tehran and Cairo have expanded “without the mediation of Arab countries”.
He rejected rumors that the two countries are not having bilateral relations.
“Recently Egyptian deputy foreign minister was in Tehran, I was also in Iran in 2006…, former ministers had also gone to Iran and held talks with Iranian officials, Iranian foreign minister has visited Egypt more than once.”
However, Abul Gheit said the resumption of “official relations” between the two countries “requires resolving conflicts over some issues, issues on which we have not reached a consensus with brothers in Iran.