Speaking at a meeting with President of the House of Representatives of Cyprus Demetris Syllouris on Monday in Tehran, Head of the Center for Strategic Research Ali Akbar Velayati said both countries enjoy especial positions and possess the potential to bolster bilateral, regional and Asian-European ties.
The official underlined that the visit of the Cypriot delegation to Tehran can offer excellent venues for reinvigoration of relations between the two countries.
In response to a question by the Cypriot official, Velayati said, “given its vicinity to the Middle East, Cyprus is considered as a part of the region and is consequently affected by its developments not to mention the ability to play a positive role.”
Syllouris of Cyprus, for his part, voiced satisfaction towards the meeting and appreciated the invitation of Iran’s Parliament speaker. He later pointed to Velayati’s especial capabilities and experiences in the international arena adding “the Islamic Republic is a prominent and influential country in the world and the region for having a strategic position.”
“We are eager to boost ties with Iran in all fields and Velayati’s unique knowledge can prove useful for cooperation between Tehran and Nicosia,” he underlined.
President of the House of Representatives of Cyprus further, while voicing eagerness to take advantage of Iran’s capacities and capabilities, noted that Iran owns a special geopolitical position in the center of the world and Cyprus has developed good relations with foreign countries.
Later at the session, both parties discussed and exchanged views on economic and banking ties as well as regional issues.
Speaking to reporters, Iran’s Velayati delineated Cyprus’s position saying “previously, the European state played an active role in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and is currently a distinctive member of the European Union (EU).”
“Given its close views with Iran on regional issues, Cyprus attaches importance to a political rather than military solution to the Syrian crisis,” concluded head of the Ira’s Center for Strategic Research.
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