TEHRAN (BNO NEWS) -- Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi on Wednesday welcomed remarks by his Egyptian counterpart Nabil al-Arabi on promoting bilateral ties, Press TV reported.

The Iranian foreign minister commented on the remarks by saying "despite the ups and downs, the historical ties between the two countries have been sustained."

He added that good relations between the two countries could help the region's stability, security and development.

The new Egypt's foreign minister said on Tuesday that his government is ready to open "a new page with Iran," but added that the establishment of diplomatic ties depends on the Iranian side. Al-Arabi said that the Egyptian government does not see Iran as an enemy state, noting that the two countries have historically had deep relations.

Iran severed ties with Egypt after Cairo signed the 1978 Camp David Accords with Israel and provided asylum to Iran's deposed shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Tehran and Cairo have not had full diplomatic relations since 1979.

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