This past week, Iran and Qatar have agreed to sign several bilateral cooperation deals strengthening the relationship between the two countries. These agreements came to be whilst Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi visited Qatar in Doha, accompanied by Oil Minister Javad Owji and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, according to Al Jazeera. The deals mostly involved agreements ranging from economy and trade to tourism and further tied the two countries together. Through such deals as these, President Raisi looks to improve ties with his regional counterparts in the Persian Gulf.

“Bilateral relations and trade, economy, energy, culture and especially investment issues were discussed in the meetings [with the Qatari emir and officials],” Raisi told reporters on Tuesday night after his return back to Iran according to the EconoTimes. “Iran is seeking transformation and growth in regional relations and this trip will mark a new chapter in Tehran-Doha ties.” Raisi, as state-run news IRNA reports, hopefully looks forward to more economic integration. On the other hand, Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has also expressed satisfaction with the news of the deals.

The fourteen agreements signed by Iran and Qatar signify increasing efforts to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries into more sectors. Although most are not too significant or notable in impact, there comes greater symbolism from the desired commitment of the two. Reuters reports that Raisi’s arrival in Doha was the first time an Iranian president has visited Qatar in almost eleven years according to Reuters. The two countries have been growing notably closer in recent years, starting with the 2017 blockade on Qatar by Saudi Arabi and other Arab states.

The two leaders also discussed nuclear talks in Vienna aimed at restoring the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, something Qatar has supported from the very beginning. There were also further discussions on other regional issues such as Palestine, according to Al Jazeera. Although the nuclear deal fell apart after its inception, efforts have been recently ignited to salvage the deal with Iran holding indirect talks with the U.S. in Vienna, according to Reuters.

In a joint statement, Reuters reports that “Qatar’s emir said in the joint remarks that his U.S.-allied country was ready to do what it can to help bring an agreeable solution between Iran and the major parties at talks in Vienna to salvage the nuclear deal.” With the continued relationship between the two countries, the desire for mutual cooperation can hopefully continue to spread to the greater Gulf region among the Arab states. With more agreements between international leaders comes a diminishing chance that tensions turn to real conflict. “I extend a hand of friendship to all regional countries, particularly neighbors, for maximum interaction toward the mutual interests of nations,” Raisi told reporters according to the Financial Tribune. “Countries of the region must find and implement solutions to crises in an inter-regional manner through increased dialogue and consultations.”