Manama: Feb. 6 — (BNA) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned today (Wednesday 6 February 2013) the planned inspection visit by members of the Iranian Shura Council’s committee on national security and foreign policy to the three United Arab Emirates (UAE) islands: (Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Mousa) occupied by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The Ministry has affirmed the foundations, pillars and approach followed by the GCC in its relations with Iran are based on the principles of good neighborliness, mutual respect, non-interference in internal affairs as well as to renounce the use of force or threat of force, in order to resolve differences by peaceful means and take into account common interests.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that this visit is a violation of the sovereignty of the United Arab Emirates on its territory and a provocative act that is a source of great concern, which does not help build confidence.

The visit also contradicts all the efforts and agreements between the two sides to avoid escalation to create the right conditions for a solution through peaceful means as well as help build good-neighborly relations between the GCC countries and the Islamic Republic of Iran at all levels.

Based on the principle of the collective security of the GCC, the Kingdom of Bahrain reiterates its stance and full support to the United Arab Emirates on its sovereignty over the three islands.
It calls on the Islamic Republic of Iran to refrain immediately from such steps and abuses which are considered to be a serious escalation that threatens the security and stability in the Arabian Gulf. (IY)