London, Feb 6, IRNA - British Charg� d'Affaires to Iran Nicholas Hopto highlights foreign minister Zarif�s visit to the UK as a step towards normalization of relationship.


Speaking with IRNA on the sidelines of foreign minister Zarif�s visit to the UK, the British Charg� d'Affaires said that the potential of future relationship between Iran and the UK is very positive.

He also added, 'Foreign Minister Zarif visit here to the UK at this particular time, returning the visit made by foreign minister Philip Hammond in August when he reopened the British embassy, is a very positive sign and this marks the next step in our move towards more normal relationship between UK and Iran.'

Nicholas Hopton is currently the British Charg� d�Affaires to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

He substituted 'Ajay Sharma', who became the first British non-resident Charg� d�Affaires in Tehran on 2013 after the two countries suffered severe diplomatic blow after November 2011.

In a first sign of thawing of diplomatic relation, Philip Hammond traveled to Tehran in August 2014 to reopen the British embassy.

Foreign minister Zarif returned this visit earlier this week to attend a Syrian conference in London and met senior British officials.

Earlier on Friday, Foreign minister Zarif, met Philip Hammond to discuss mutual interests of the two countries.

After their 90 minute meeting, they told the press that bilateral cooperation in banking, economic , investment sectors, regional issues, as well as visa issuance by the two embassies will begin within a couple of weeks.

Foreign minister Zarif told the press, 'We believe that the relations between Iran and Britain can impact a multifaceted relation that would not only benefit the people of Iran and the UK but of course the people of the region in creating a better environment for interaction.'

Philip Hammond also told the press, 'We are working together in a good spirit, mutual cooperation to make sure that we are able to increasingly normalize the relationships between the two countries.'

By IRNA