IRNA - Iran is prepared to develop economic and political cooperation with the European Union member states including Belgium, Iran's president Hassan Rouhani said in a meeting with the new ambassador of Belgium to Iran V�ronique Petit on Tuesday.

Upon receiving the credentials of Petit, the Iranian president said, 'Iran-Belgium ties are good and long-standing and there are no obstacles on the way of strengthening Tehran-Brussels relations.'

President Rouhani labeled as 'strong' the European Union's political stance on the landmark 2015 Iran nuclear deal, known commonly as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and expressed hope that the European Union will take positive steps in developing economic cooperation.

Iran's president said he believes those who oppose Iran-EU deep-seated relations have orchestrated plans to hurt the good relations and they should not be allowed to go ahead with their plans.

The president expressed hope that the ties between Iran and European Union's member states will further improve commitment to Iran nuclear deal.

The new ambassador of Belgium to Iran submitted a copy of her credentials to Iran's president and said Tehran-Brussels relations have been widely expanded in all areas, especially in the economic domain, and the two countries will mark the 100th anniversary of bilateral relations in 2020.

She described the JCPOA as a major international accomplishment, saying the EU and Belgium are making every effort to keep the deal.