Rouhani: Iran resolute to interact constructively with EU
ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency
Sun 9 Mar 2014 - 15:37
TEHRAN (ISNA)- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani reiterated that the Iranian government seeks constructive interaction with Europe based on 'shared interests'.
'Today, the two sides have joint interests, goals and vast common fields for cooperation,' Rouhani said in a meeting with the EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton here in Tehran on Sunday.
'The government of Prudence and Hope is determined to have constructive interaction with the entire world on foreign policy and based on bilateral and shared interests and respect. The EU is one of the areas in which Iranian government is interested on establishing new relationship.'
He further said Iran and the EU can discuss wide-range of issues, including Middle East and global matters. 'I hope that we can take new and serious steps in all of the spheres by seizing the good existing climate.'
The Iranian President said in case the two sides can pass the current stage behind, they can cooperate on energy and transit as well as fighting extremism, terrorism, Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq and drug trafficking.
Ashton, for her part, during the meeting said, 'I am in Iran to send the message of good faith of 28 European countries as their representative. This is the first time that I am talking to Iranian officials on matters except nuclear program, and this is a start to expand cooperation between Iran and the EU.
'The EU completely admits the importance and role of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the region, and the trip was made for talks on mutual cooperation on different issues.'
She also said her presence in Iran shows the EU's willingness for shaping better, more influential and dynamic ties with Iran concurrent with nuclear talks.
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