Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani made the remarks at a meeting with Portuguese FM Rui Machete on Monday.
Pointing to the long-standing ties between the two countries and noting that ranking officials in both countries have exchanged visits during the past year, President Rouhani said Portuguese FM’s visit to Iran is a turning point in the bilateral relations between the two countries.
President expressed the need to resolve issues such as violence and terrorism which have affected not only the Middle East but also Europe and other parts of the world. He urged accordingly all the world leaders to cooperate and put an end to the issues concerning humanity.
Rouhani, in another part of his speech, pointed to the nuclear talks between Iran and the 5 + 1, saying that Iran's nation is determined to use peaceful nuclear technology.
The President stressed that the issue today between the two sides is neither technical nor legal, adding that it is fully a political issue which requires a political will on behalf of both sides.
Stating that Iran's nuclear activities are entirely peaceful, Rouhani said the pressure on Iran is meaningless. “Pressure and sanctions are always a double-edged sword that hurt both sides."
Portuguese FM also voiced interest in expanding relations with Iran and said the time is ripe for both countries to develop their ties.
He believed Tehran and Lisbon could cooperate not only in issues of mutual interest but act as a bridge between Europe and the Middle East.
As for Iran’s nuclear negotiations, he said his country was well aware of the positive outcomes of any deal between the negotiating parties.
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MNA
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