For decades before sanctions were imposed against the Islamic Republic of Iran, the European countries were Tehran's trading partner. The gap in Iranian imports from Western countries was filled by Chinese, Korean and Middle Eastern competitors, and now thanks to the removal of nuclear-related sanctions against the country, economic collaboration between Iran and the Europe have been enhanced.
Up to now, several numbers of the European officials have voiced their willingness to persist supporting the implementation of agreement, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action throughout the lifetime of the agreement, as well as the UNSC Resolution 2231.
Thanks to being the safest and the most secure country in the region, Iran considered as a promising trading partner, eye-catching and lucrative market for European countries like Slovenia.
The Iranian officials are trying to pave the ground for luring the domestic and foreign investments which is considered as key for settling the country's economic problems.
In a sign of nurturing ties between Iran and the Europe, Slovenian President Borut Pahor heading a high ranking politico-economic delegation arrived in Tehran in late November to amend cooperation between the two countries.
As long as Iran is a country with plenty of economic advantages in the region and Slovenia is a gateway for European Union, so the advantages would be enough to draw the best roadmap for future cooperation and economic outlook.
For sure, presence of Slovenian President and accompanying delegation indicates that economy is a main route to access macro political goals in development of a country.
While in Iran, Pahor held talks with several high ranking Iranian officials including Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, his counterpart Hassan Rouhani, Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zatrif, Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian as well as Head of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mine and Agriculture Gholamhossein Shafei and took part in Iran-Slovenia Trade Commission attended by representatives of 50 Slovenian companies in Tehran. Slovenian embassy which was closed in 2012, because of economic austerity policy of the country, also was reopened in Tehran in presence of Pahor.
The visit also resulted in inking three cooperation agreements in economic, information and communications technology (ICT) and bionano arenas.
According to the official statistics, trade between Iran and Slovenia fell down in the past several years from 96 million euro in 2011 to 46 million euro in 2012 and 25.5 million euro in 2013.
Slovenia seeks 5+1 commitment to JCPOA
In a joint press conference attended by President Rouhani, Pahor expressed pleasure with fruitful outcome of the landmark nuclear deal signed between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the world six major countries (US, Britain, Russia, France and China plus Germany) in July 2015 and urged the G5+1 member states to remain committed to their pledges on sound implementation of JCPOA.
He said that the nuclear talks proved that diplomatic means is the best way for settlement of international disputes.
Slovenia believes that settlement of disputes through diplomatic means and restoring Iranian relations with the international community should be regarded as a suitable opportunity for Slovenia to bolster its economic and political ties with Iran, he said, adding normalization of ties between Iran and the international community is a suitable opportunity for Slovenia to revive its relations with Iran at the highest level.
Iran’s determination for promotion of ties with EU
In a meeting with a top-ranking Slovenian delegation led by President Pahor, President Rouhani said Iran is resolved to expand relations with friendly countries, particularly those in the European Union, citing the visit as a turning point in the history of relations between the two countries.
Underlining the need for joint banking and insurance cooperation as a key step to develop Iran-Slovenia trade and economic relations, the president noted that banking and insurance relations serve to regulate trade and commerce between the two nations.
Iran, Europe should trust each other
Addressing the Iran-Slovenia Trade Commission held at Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mine and Agriculture in Tehran, President Pahor said that Iranian and EU governments and nations should trust each other and expand trade relations.
'We are here to find a solution for problems at the beginning of trade ties between the two countries after a long halt,' the Slovenian president said.
Iran has successful experience in peaceful dialogue for a complicated nuclear dispute so that the experience may be used for settling the other international disputes, Pahor said.
Iran-Slovenia trade commission convenes
On Nov 22, Iran-Slovenia Trade Commission convened on in presence of President Pahor and Chitchian as well as representatives of 50 Slovenian companies.
The companies were involved in businesses ranging from aerial transport, energy, banking and monetary, tourism, communications and information technology equipment, to electronic devices and machinery for construction, agriculture, medicine, food industries, industry and mines.
Slovenian president addresses Iran's Parliament
On Nov 23, President of Slovenia attended open session of Iran's Majlis (Parliament) becoming the first foreign head of state who has ever addressed the Iranian MPs.
He stressed Ljubljana's willingness to promote bilateral economic and political ties with Tehran, noting that there are good potentials for mutual cooperation between the two countries.
President Pahor added that cooperation between Iran and Slovenia can help promotion of peace and security in the world.
Terrorism common concern of region and world
In a meeting with his Slovenian counterpart, Karl Erjavec, and his accompanying delegation, Zarif said that terrorism and extremism are common concerns of the region and world, requiring comprehensive campaign from cultural and intellectual job to military undertaking.
Describing presence of Pahor and senior officials in Iran as a positive step and good prelude for new period for bilateral ties, Zarif said that there are numerous capacities for promoting cooperation.
Zarif listed energy, financial and banking, tourism, visa facilities and culture as suitable areas of cooperation, saying, 'We have common viewpoints and concerns in regional and international developments.'
Erjavec, for his part, expressed pleasure with his visit to Tehran, saying a new chapter has opened in Iran-Slovenia ties.
He said that Iran-Slovenia Joint Economic Commission will be held in Ljubljana in 2017, adding that the Slovenian job generators and businessmen are very interested in cooperation with Iran's state-run and private sectors.
Lack of political will to tackle terrorism
In a meeting with Slovenian president, Larijani said that the bitter experience of terrorism has roots in lack of firm political will at international level in fight against it and adoption of improper method in the campaign.
'Iran welcomes expansion of parliamentary, economic and cultural cooperation with Slovenia,' Larijani said, adding some good measures have been taken to ease domestic and foreign investment and the Iranian parliament supports the move.
The bitter reality with the region is the existence of terrorism in the region, which has been mounting in recent years and requires a collective contribution and firm political will at international level to uproot the improper methods, Larijani said.
Slovenian president, for his part said the Islamic Republic of Iran is regarded as a very significant country in the region, leaving impressive impact on regional and global developments.
No doubt, reopening Slovenian embassy in Tehran will shed light on prospect of Iran-Slovenia relations, he said.
Indisputably, the atmosphere shaped after the JCPOA is a good chance for the country's exporters and producers to cooperate with foreign companies and the reputable brands.
Nobody can deny the positive effects created by the nuclear deal because it has provided safer and more secure ground for foreign countries to engage with in Iran, the Slovenia in particular.
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