British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has hailed Iranians’ hospitality and rich culture, saying it is now time to open “a new chapter of relations” between the two countries.

In a message published in the state-run newspaper Iran on Tuesday, Hammond praised the “ancient history” and “rich culture” of the Iranian nation, voicing optimism that Tehran and London would be able to establish friendly ties following the recent conclusion of nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries.

“The nuclear agreement was a historic victory for diplomacy and a success for all the parties to the talks,” Hammond wrote at the end of his visit to Tehran, adding, "I am determined to turn the conclusion of the nuclear negotiations into a new chapter of relations between my country and Iran; relations that are beneficial to the people" of both countries.

Britain's top diplomat also stated that the agreement will provide Iran with an opportunity to establish “different” ties with the Western countries.

Iran and the six powers – the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany – finalized the text of the nuclear agreement called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in Vienna, Austria, on July 14.



[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="555"] Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (L) and his British counterpart Philip Hammond leave the final press conference of Iran's nuclear talks in Vienna, Austria, July 14, 2015. (AFP)[/caption]

Hammond, however, stressed that the problems which have frayed Tehran-London ties for so long cannot be resolved overnight, saying that only diplomacy can help improve the two countries’ relations through creating an atmosphere of mutual trust, as it did during the nuclear talks.

He also underscored that Iran and Britain face common challenges in today’s world, including “the emergence of Daesh in Iraq and Syria; instability in Afghanistan, drug trade and the climate change.”

Further in his message, Hammond announced that resuming consular services in Iran tops London’s priorities, expressing hope that the British embassy in Tehran would start to offer visa services over the next months.

Hammond arrived in the Iranian capital Tehran on Sunday at the head of a high-ranking politico-economic delegation for a landmark two-day visit to formally reopen the UK embassy. It was the first visit to Iran by a British foreign secretary since 2003.

The top British diplomat held a meeting with Iran's Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Sunday. Hammond and Zarif also attended a joint press conference.

Hammond also sat down with Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani and Parliament (Majlis) Speaker Ali Larijani, among other officials.

By Press TV