TEHRAN, Oct. 30 (MNA) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said Europeans should be independent from other world powers and provide necessary space for further cooperation with Iranian banks and institutions..


Ghasemi, speaking to IRIB on Saturday night, said Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini during their meeting in Tehran stressed the need for the acceleration of forming an appropriate environment in order to provide aid to the people of Syria.

Touching upon the objectives of Mogherini's visit to Tehran, Ghasemi said "it was not a long trip, but the talks due to the importance of bilateral issues, in particular the recent developments in Syria, were relatively long and the two sides exchanged views in this regard."

He said the two sides talked on ways of establishing peace and stability in the region and finding solutions to a sustainable ceasefire in order to promote political dialogue between the Syrian groups.

On Mogherini's meeting with President Rouhani, Ghasemi said the two sides discussed the issues related to bilateral ties with European Union, as well as regional issues and mainly developments in Syria.

Iran, Ghasemi noted, is highly regarded as a powerful country and a significant actor in the region and almost all major players, regional countries and the Europeans are aware of Iran's role and abilities.

FM spokesman also pointed to the decision of the Islamic Republic and the European Union for the new round of talks and said "Iran enjoys old relationship with Europe and has maintained continuous contacts with Europe in different levels and periods.

Ghasemi announced that deputy-level talks would be held in Brussels in November and both sides, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for European and American Affairs Majid Takht-Ravanchi and Deputy Secretary General for the External Action Service (EAS) Helga Schmid, would discuss the economic, political, cultural and environmental issues as well as drugs and various other topics to see in what areas they can have more consensus and cooperation.

Ghasemi emphasized the need for EU cooperation with Iran, independent of the other world powers, and said European financial, monetary and industrial institutions are willing to cooperate with Iran as their old partner.

Touching upon Zarif's one-day visit to Moscow to partake in trilateral meeting on adopting an anti-terror strategy with his Russian and Syrian counterparts, he said although very short, but it was a very important visit; "FM Zarif spent seven hours negotiating with his counterparts in Moscow."

Ghasemi highly regarded Zarif and Mogherini's one-day visits to Moscow and Iran, respectively, adding it indicates the importance and high standing of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the region.

By Mehr News Agency