Zarif and Murray McCully discussed bilateral ties and other issue of interests during the latter’s visit to Tehran. Zarif told reporters that New Zealand had contributed to JCPOA when the country was the periodic president of the UN Security Council; “we see New Zealand’s commitments on accurate implementation of the deal as a positive side of bilateral ties with Iran; today, we discussed regional and international issues with Mr. McCully especially terrorism and extremism in Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East,” Zarif told reporters.
“We hope to see today meeting will wield impact on solution of crises in the region,” he added.
“Delegations from New Zealand will examine bilateral cooperation in different fields of interests including agriculture, food and dairy industries, and new technological cooperation in training and transfer in collaboration with Iranians; some discussions have been made also in financial and banking sector to facilitate trade between Iran and New Zealand,” Mr. Zarif told the press, adding that measures by Iran to ease visa issuance for Iranian
graduate students applying in New Zealand universities.
Mr. McCully for his part, thanked his Iranian counterpart’s efforts to promote bilateral ties and said both countries would be effective on international crisis through exchanging and sharing constructive ideas.
Mr. McCully also added that Zarif’s former visit to Wellington had provided excellent opportunities for major reforms in trade and economic relations; “we will work to improve ties in education and exchange programs as well. We believe in a positive response to Iran’s calls for improved relations and that greater opportunities will be explored and exploited by both countries through more political exchanges,” he told the press.
“New Zealand has been working to play greater role in tackling pressing challenges facing the UNSC; as an impermanent member of the UNSC, New Zealand will address those issues seriously,” he concluded.
SH