Update: Iran, Europe resolved to boost ties after nuclear deal
Xinhua, November 7, 2015 Adjust font size:
Iran and the EU vowed on Saturday to enhance cooperation over mutual and international issues during the first visit by a European parliament president to the country.
The visit of Martin Schulz, president of the European parliament, has prepared a proper ground for enhancement of ties after the July nuclear deal between Iran and the world powers, said Ali Larijani, Iran's parliament speaker, at a joint press conference.
Schulz arrived in Iran's capital Tehran on Saturday for talks to step up dialogue between Iran and the EU.
"We had constructive talks today on the regional issues, including terrorism and the existing crises," Larijani said.
Other issues in the region also require further conversation between Iran and Europe, and "We think Europe can play a positive role in this regard," he said.
The Iranian speaker hopes the current visit by the European parliament president to Tehran will have "appropriate achievements" for both sides.
Schulz believes "Iran and Europe are at the crucial juncture as for their relations," after he had good and helpful talks with the Iranian speaker on Saturday.
The nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 group, which is consisted of the permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany, is at its implementation stage.
It will, hopefully, lead to the opening of a new chapter in the economic and political ties between Iran and Europe, Schulz said.
On Oct. 18, Iran and the world powers announced to start implementing the deal reached in Vienna, Austria, on July 14 over Tehran's controversial nuclear program.
The West has so far taken a pragmatic approach and launched the process of lifting sanctions imposed on Iran, as Tehran responded positively, anticipating the lifting of some sanctions this year.
Iran expressed its readiness to expand its ties with European countries within this new zeitgeist.
A number of officials from leading Western countries have recently visited Tehran in an effort to reestablish ties and restore economic cooperation.
Schulz's is the first European parliament president to have visited Iran. In his one-day visit, he will meet with Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif to discuss the implementation of the nuclear agreement.
Western media says Schulz will also meet with "representatives of Iran's civil society." Endit