Chairman of the Finnish Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs Antti Kaikkonen held a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Tehran on Sunday, during which the two sides conferred on the latest developments in bilateral ties and regional issues.
Zarif hailed the long-standing friendly relations between Iran and Finland, saying the prospect of the two countries’ cooperation is progressive. He then expressed hope that both countries’ parliaments would exercise sufficient resolve and determination to provide the proper conditions for further expansion of parliamentary cooperation.
“As a result of the nuclear deal, good opportunities have presented themselves to Iran and the EU for a better understanding of the two sides’ economic, trade and banking potentials,” said Zarif, while calling for more solid and tangible steps to be taken toward the realization of the improved cooperation with the EU and its member countries.
Zarif also touched upon the current crises in the region, saying “the perils stemming from extremism and terrorism will be eliminated in Syria with real, serious resolve and practical measures.”
Zarif further reaffirmed Iran’s position in backing the process of peace talks between the Syrian government and the opposition in order to settle the conflict.
“Iran also backs the ceasefire in Yemen and has always been of the firm opinion that military aggression and targeting the innocent people of Yemen is not the way to settle the conflict,” he stressed.
The Finnish official, for his part, hailed Tehran-Helsinki good ties, saying the removal of sanctions will further improve the current state of relations between the two countries; “Finland is eager to take new steps to expand parliamentary, economic and cultural cooperation with Iran,” he said.
Kaikkonen further expressed his appreciation toward Zarif for allocating sufficient time to answer all of the questions of the Finnish PMs on various bilateral and regional issues, saying “the logical reasoning and helpful views and remarks of Iran’s Foreign Minister Zarif about the regional crises as well as Tehran’s relations with Helsinki have been constructive and convincing for all members of the delegation.”
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