President Hassan Rouhani received the credentials of South Korean, Maltese, Cambodian, Slovenian, and Bosnian ambassadors on Monday. The first was Joseph Mongfion, Maltese new non-resident ambassador. Rouhani told Mr. Mongfion that Malta was enjoying excellent geographical position in the Mediterranean in terms of being a tourist destination, and that Iran and the country would cooperate in fields of interest, especially in economy, politics, and trade. “Both countries should work with each other to provide tourist and historical monuments information to our public to bestow upon a dynamism to relations; Maltese opportunities would attract Iranian investors to this island nation of the Mediterranean,” he said.
Mongfion for his part voiced his government’s resolve to strengthen ties with Iran and all-out cooperation.
Kemal Muftić, Bosnian ambassador to Tehran was the second ambassador to present credentials to President Rouhani. Mr. Muftić was his country’s ambassador to Turkey. Mr. Rouhani expressed hopes that his coming to Iran as ambassador transform bilateral relations to better state than before. “The Islamic Republic of Iran had been standing with Bosnian people during the Balkan war of 1990s and we welcome friendly ties with Sarajevo,” said the president, highlighting the religious and tourism common features of both countries which would provide grounds for cooperation.
Muftić believed that cordial ties between two countries could constitute a firm base for further improving relations. “We hope that trade delegation exchanges in the few next months bring flourishing of economic relations,” he added.
Slovenian new ambassador also presented Rouhani with his credentials. Igor Jukic will serve his country as non-resident ambassador during his term in Tehran. Rouhani assessed relations with Slovenia in diplomatic and political spheres of fighting terrorism and said that Mr. Jukic’s term in service would improve Tehran-Ljubljana ties. Rouhani believed that the nuclear deal with world powers had created opportunities for Iran to join the international trade and receive investments to its critical economic sectors, to which Slovenia would contribute.
Mr. Jukic for his part confirmed Rouhani’s comments, saying that potentials in the two countries’ relations should be exploited. He also said that Slovenian president would visit Iran in the near future as new openings in political relations along with the country’s Ministers of Economy and Foreign Affairs visits to Tehran.
Cambodian ambassador to Tehran Mr. Pichkhun Panha, who is also non-resident ambassador, was received by President Rouhani where the president hailed the Southeast Asian country as a nation having fought years for independence; “we welcome Cambodian road to development and growth; both countries have excellent tourist destinations which should be considered as potentials for future improvements in bilateral ties,” he said. “The Islamic Republic of Iran is a stable country in the region and an important member of ECO (Economic Cooperation Organization) and seeks actively to expand ties with ASEAN member states.”
Mr. Panha expressed gratitude for Iran’s support for the country in international community. “We officially seek to work with Iran in economic and industrial sectors of Iran and call Iranian investors to come to Cambodia to play a role in strengthening of the economy as well,” he told president.
President Rouhani received the credential of South Korean new ambassador Mr. Kim Seung-Ho as ultimate session of his agenda today.
No restrictions would stifle improvement of bilateral ties with South Korea, and with getting to times post-JCPOA, cooperation would take a new and rapid turn, President Rouhani said.
Mr. Seung-Ho told the meeting that geographical distance had not affected good relations during 5 past decades with Iran; “revival of joint meetings and economic commission in ministerial level will encourage the private sector participation and will advance further trade; our government will take the opportunity to create grounds for Iranian private companies to work in South Korea without reservation,” Seung-Ho added.
SH/3005742