Iranian, Dutch FMs Urge Promotion of Ties in Post-Sanctions Era
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his counterpart from the Netherlands Bert Koenders on Friday highlighted the necessity for expansion of bilateral ties, particularly after the recent nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, which took effect on January 16.
During a meeting held on the sidelines of the ongoing Munich Security Conference in Germany, Zarif and Koenders discussed Tehran-Stockholm ties in economic and political fields.
They further hailed the grounds for future mutual cooperation after the nuclear deal (JCPOA), and underlined the need for tapping into the existing potentials.
The Iranian and Dutch foreign ministers also conferred on the latest regional developments.
Zarif, who arrived in Munich on Thursday along with his Deputy for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian to attend a fresh round of talks on the Syrian crisis, has held several separate meetings with world figures and diplomats on the sidelines of the negotiations.
The Iranian top diplomat on Friday held a meeting with UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson, during which the two sides conferred on latest regional developments, particularly the ongoing crises in Yemen and Syria.
Earlier on Thursday, he also held a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. During the 45-minute meeting, the two sides conferred on issues of mutual interest.
The Iranian minister also held meetings with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Oman’s Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi, and Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif.
He also met with UN Envoy for Syrian Affairs Staffan de Mistura and Secretary General of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Iyad bin Amin Madani.
The meetings came as world actors convened on Thursday in Munich and agreed to a plan to “cease hostilities” in Syria within a week and dramatically ramp up humanitarian access in the war-ravaged country.
