Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held a meeting with Masahisa Sato, chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Commission of Japan’s House of Councilors, in the Iranian capital on Sunday, where the two sides conferred on bilateral and regional issues in length.
Zarif noted the ample opportunities between the two countries, saying Japan could become one of the major economic partners to Iran; “we see Japan as a country that has for long been concerned with peace, stability and security in the region,” he said.
The foreign minister then referred to the failed military coup in Turkey, saying “I was the first foreign minister who denounced the coup and have been in constant contact with my Turkish counterpart since the incident.”
“Peace and stability in Turkey as one of our significant neighbors is of utmost importance to us, and the Japanese government is well aware of Iran’s positions in this regard,” he added.
Zarif went on to highlight Iran’s position on combating terrorism, adding “we were also deeply affected by the recent terrorist attack in the French city of Nice. All these inhumane acts in any form and shape and no matter where in the world they occur are strongly condemned by Iran.”
The Iranian top diplomat returned to the topic of bilateral relations with Japan, adding “Iran’s economic indicators, such as possession of vast natural resources, highly skilled manpower, unique security and a massive local market, makes for a golden opportunity for foreign investment and Japanese companies are welcomed to make the best of it.”
The Japanese official, for his part, referred to the adoption of an investment agreement with Iran at Japan’s House of Councilors where he had also been present and supportive of the deal, and expressed hope that the agreement would be soon approved by Iran’s Parliament as well so that the economic cooperation between the two countries would further increase.
“The Japanese government has backed Iran’s nuclear deal since day one, and has opened a $10b credit line to finance Iran’s projects,” Sato said, while urging for the implementation of the credit line as soon as possible.
He further added that the two countries can expand cooperation on fighting terrorism in a bid to increase stability and security in the region.
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