TEHRAN, Mar. 17 (MNA) – Iranian Foreign Minister flew to Brussels yesterday afternoon and met with EU Foreign Policy Chief.



After a 5-hour meeting with his US counterpart John Kerry aimed at pushing through a deal before a March 31 deadline, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif traveled to Brussels on Monday afernoon to hold talks with EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini.


During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on the latest developments in nuclear talks, the latest developments in the region especially Syria and Iraq and the threat posed by terrorism and ISIL in the two countries, as well as Iran's relations with the European Union.

Zarif stressed the need to discuss the solutions to Iran’s nuclear issue and then to begin to formulate the final deal.


Once again, he highlighted Iran’s policy that, “no deal is accepted, except one that entails an agreement on everything,” adding that Iran has always underlined the importance of Europe’s role in the resolution of nuclear issue as well as the development of cooperation with European countries.


Zarif asserted that reaching a final deal can be a giant leap closer to the promotion of ties with European countries.


EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini, for his part, stressed the need to bridge the gaps in the course of nuclear talks, adding that she would personally do her best to play a more active role in this regard.


“The European side enjoys a high incentive to make efforts to achieve a nuclear agreement and will play its effective role in the course of nuclear negotiations,” Mogherini said.


Following the talks, Mohammad Javad Zarif, also held talks with his French, British and German counterparts plus Mogherini and in the presence of deputy foreign ministers in Brussels.


In a bilateral meeting between Iran’s Zarif and British FM Philip Hammond, the latest developments in the region and the process of nuclear negotiations were discussed and examined.


The parties stressed the need for a joint effort on behalf of all the countries involved in the process of negotiations to close the gap to reach a comprehensive agreement.


By July, the 5+1 group of international negotiators hope to reach a comprehensive long-term agreement with Iran. The group consists of five UN Security Council members – Russia, the United States, France, China and the United Kingdom – as well as Germany.


After the talks, Zarif returned to Lausanne on March 16 to proceed with the nuclear talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry on drafting the deal to lift the sanctions.


By Mehr News Agency