Riga, June 2, IRNA � Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif voiced his satisfaction with his talks with senior Latvian officials, including his counterpart Edgars Rinkevics, during his stay here.
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The Iranian foreign minister made the remarks in a joint press conference with his Latvian counterpart in Riga on Thursday afternoon.

Zarif thanked Rinkevics for his and his country's hospitality during his stay in Lativa.

Zarif pointed to the accompaniment of a 70-member trade delegation during his visit to Europe, including Latvia, and said that this issue shows the importance that Iran attaches to its relations with European countries.

'We reviewed the opportunities in different areas, including economics, banking relations, technology and culture,' the Iranian foreign minister added.

'We also discussed human rights issues; we can cooperate for improving the human rights conditions; we also regularly hold talks with the European Union on issues such as human trafficking and terrorism,' he said.

The Iranian foreign minister pointed to Iran-Latvia relations, and said, 'I had the honor to host the Latvian foreign minister in 2014; he was one of the first European ministers to visit Iran. On other hand, I also have the honor to I am the first Iranian official to visit Latvia after 95 years.'

Zarif said that Iran and Latvia have never cut their diplomatic relations; hence their diplomatic ties dates back to more than 95 years ago.
The Iranian foreign minister expressed the hope that his visit to Latvia will usher in a new chapter in relations of the two countries in different fields and in line with the interests of both countries.

Asked about the economic relations of the European countries with Iran in the post-sanctions era, Zarif responded that there were obstacles hindering the two countries' relations and it was illegal in our opinion, but now with the removal of sanctions they have also been lifted.

'Therefore, we can move ahead and there is much interest in this as well,' he added.

By IRNA