TEHRAN (FNA)- A senior Iranian trade official referred to the recent trip by the countrys trade delegation to Austria, and said at present 700 Austrian companies are cooperating with Iran.The political and economic relations between Iran and Austria date back to over 140 years ago and these ties have never been cut even during the war time (the Iraqi-imposed war on Iran 1980-1988), Head of Tehrans Chamber of Commerce Yahya Al-e Eshaq said, addressing a meeting of the Chamber in Tehran on Tuesday.
At present 700 Austrian companies are cooperating with Iran, he added.
Al-e Eshaq said that the Austrian government and companies are eager to further expand ties and cooperation with Iran.
Also in December, Austrian Ambassador to Tehran Friedrich Stift said Vienna is resolved to develop its trade and economic relations with Iran.
Speaking at a meeting with Deputy Minister of Industries, Mines and Trade Ahmad Doust Hosseini, Stift said that Austria has always maintained ties with Iran even during political crises.
He noted that Vienna has never decided to close down its commercial office in Iran stressing that new chapter will be opened in bilateral economic relations once the sanctions against Iran are eased or removed.
The Austrian diplomat added that Austria has never encouraged any sanctions against Iran and hopes for a new phase in bilateral ties after removal of the sanctions.
Also, speaking at a ceremony at Tehran University in February, Stift expressed pleasure in the positive results of an interim nuclear deal between Iran and the world powers sealed in Geneva, and hoped for removal of all sanctions against Tehran after the endorsement of a final agreement by both sides.
The Australian envoy told reporters that it is expected that the next round of talks would lead to a final agreement and subsequently total lifting of sanctions.
Iran and Austria enjoy deeply rooted relations but due to economic sanctions the level of bilateral trade exchange has decreased, he said, hoping that with lifting of sanctions bilateral cooperation would expand.
By Fars News Agency
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