MNA � President Rouhani while pointing to Iran-Hungary�s long-standing relations, said deepening ties with friend countries, including the European Union, is a key foreign policy principle for Iran.


Iranian President Hassan Rouhani made the comment in a meeting with the Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary, L�szl� K�v�r on Saturday in Tehran, adding �the Islamic Republic of Iran is a great country with an emerging economy and has great potentials and capabilities in technical and engineering fields, as well as infrastructural projects.�

The President also lauded the EU�s positive role in the course of nuclear negotiations, adding �the private sectors of both countries should be informed of each other�s potentials to take the role of pioneers in bolstering cooperation.�

Rouhani then referred to contracts between Iran and many countries across the world, including European countries in the post-JCPOA era, adding �most of these contracts have been put into action and Hungarian investors and companies can now tap into the opportunity to further develop ties with Iran.�

The President went on highlight the need for expediting the implementation of agreements made between the two countries during the visit by the Prime Minister of Hungary to Tehran, adding �Tehran holds promoting its scientific and cultural ties with Budapest in high regard, on the same level of political and economic relations.�

He also referred to Iran�s progress in the field of modern technologies, particularly in nano- and biotechnology, calling for closer cooperation between Tehran and in various sectors of peaceful nuclear energy.

He also invited Hungarian people to take a closer interest in Iran�s historical sites and other fascinating tourist attractions.

Rouhani further touched upon the issue of combating terrorism, adding �terrorism is a great threat to the region and the world and no country can remain immune to its adverse effects.�

�People in Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Libya are under severe conditions,� said Rouhani, �it is our humane and international responsibility to send humanitarian aid such as medicine and food to the people of these countries and help them recover as fast as possible.�

For his part, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary, L�szl� K�v�r, said Budapest is determined to develop ties with Tehran in all fields of mutual interest.

�Hungary is completely ready to develop ties with Tehran, especially in economic fields and this will definitely benefit both nations and governments,� he stressed.

K�v�r went on to add, �making further efforts in holding Iran-Hungary joint commission can accelerate expansion of ties.�