Iran’s Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has welcomed an announcement from his Egyptian counterpart that Cairo is willing to re-establish diplomatic ties with Tehran.

“A good relationship between the two countries will definitely help stability, security and development in the region,” says Salehi.

“I hope in the new environment [following the Egyptian uprising] we witness an upgrade of relationships between the two countries and the two great nations of Iran and Egypt.”

Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil el-Araby said on 29 March that Egpyt was ready to “open a new page” with Iran, according to state-run Middle East News Agency.

“The Egyptian government doesn’t consider Iran to be an enemy state,” El-Araby was quoted as saying. “We’re opening a new page with all countries, including Iran.”

El-Araby took over the position of foreign minister on 6 March.