Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Monday met with UK’s newly-appointed Ambassador to Tehran, Nicolas Hopton, where the President attached great significance to the development of relations between Tehran and London; “the level of the two countries’ relations has been on a rising trend in recent years, and with the activation of the existing capacities, we can expedite the process,” Rouhani said.
He went on to note UK’s role during nuclear negotiations, adding “thanks to the efforts of seven countries, we managed to reach a significant agreement that carried a positive message to the world, that is, conflicts and differences can be settled through diplomacy.”
“The Iranian side has fully adhered to its commitments under the nuclear deal, and the other sides to the agreement are also required to adopt the same approach toward the implementation of JCPOA,” Rouhani stressed.
The President went on to add, “after the nuclear deal, we need to make up for the lost opportunities in the past by expanding economic, scientific, cultural and political cooperation, all of which need the full establishment of banking relations.”
The British ambassador, after presenting his credentials, said the two countries’ relations are now on an actual progressing trend, adding “British companies and banks are keenly interested in cooperating with the Iranian side. In the near future, the necessary negotiations will be held between the two countries’ central banks for removing banking obstacles.”
Hopton also stressed the significance of cooperation with Iran on regional issues, expressing hope for even closer cooperation with the Islamic Republic in this regard.
Banking ties key to bolstering Iran-Sweden economic coop.
Also on Monday, President Rouhani received the credentials of Swedish newly-appointed ambassador to Tehran, Helena Sångeland, and expressed hope for facilitation and expedition of Tehran-Stockholm expanding relations. President Rouhani put special emphasis on banking relations as the main basis for developing economic cooperation between the two counties.
Rouhani also called for joint cooperation and coordination with Sweden in regard to regional crises and issues, such as combating terrorism and restoring peace and security to the region.
The Swedish ambassador, for her part, guaranteed the keen interest of her country’s banks and companies for expanding cooperation with the Iranian side; “Today, the nuclear deal has created unique opportunities for bolstering ties between Iran and Sweden,” she said.
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