TEHRAN (Iran News) –Foreign Minister Hossein AmiraAbdollahian has highlighted the importance of development and stability in the Balkans, saying Tehran extends its hand of friendship to all countries in that region.
Speaking to reporters in Belgrade following a meeting with his Serbian counterpart Ivica Dacic on Sunday, Amirabdollahian said Iran supports the territorial integrity of all Balkan countries, including Serbia.
“We wish for the growth, development, unity and stability of the entire Balkan region,” he said. “Considering the historical record of Iran’s relations with the Balkan region, we extend a hand of friendship to all the countries of that region.”
Amirabdollahian congratulated the 85th anniversary of the establishment of ties between the two countries, saying his visit to Belgrade was taking place at the official invitation of his Serbian counterpart
Iran and Serbia have maintained constructive relations and seek to further expand ties in all fields, he said.
In talks with the Serbian foreign minister, he continued, a wide range of issues pertaining to bilateral, regional and international cooperation were discussed.
The top Iranian diplomat added that Tehran is ready to host the 16th session of the two countries’ joint commission in the near future.
Elsewhere in the presser, Amirabdollahian said the United States and some Western countries provoked the recent unrest in Iran to force Tehran to give concessions in the talks to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
The Iranian foreign minister emphasized that foreign forces have interfered and abused the riots, but the Iranian people have managed to achieve success in the “hybrid war” waged against their country.
Amirabdollahian pointed out that Iran is a democratic country, adding, “We hear and respond to the peaceful demands of the noble Iranian people on various issues but we do not allow anyone to [incite] riots and [carry out] act of terror in our country.”
Pointing to his Saturday phone call with European Union Foreign Policy chief Josep Borrell, Amirabdollahian once again reiterated the country’s stance on achieving an endurable agreement that serves its national interests.
“I talked with Mr. Borrell about the agreement to lift the sanctions and I emphasized that only a deal that works well for the interests of the Iranian nation and is permanent is valuable to Iran,” he said.
Meanwhile on Monday, Amirabdollahian held talks with Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić.
Referring to the meeting of the presidents of the two countries on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Amirabdollahian emphasized the necessity of implementing the agreements made between the two countries.
He expressed hope that the promotion of cooperation between the two countries will provide the necessary ground for the development of the relations between Iran and Serbia.
Iranian foreign minister also announced the readiness of Iran to hold the 16th round of the cooperation commission between the two countries in Tehran, expressing hope that with the provision of the necessary mechanisms within the framework of this round of the joint commission, the ground for improving relations in various dimensions will be provided.
Referring to the 85th anniversary of relations between the two countries, Ana Brnabić, for her part, emphasized the need to take steps in accordance with the capacities of the two countries in various fields of relations.
The Prime Minister of Serbia considered the field of scientific-academic cooperation, agriculture, and energy to be ready for the promotion of cooperation between the two countries.
She also voiced the readiness of the Serbian government to promote cooperation in the mentioned fields.
Cooperation between the two countries in the fields of culture, parliamentary diplomacy, tourism, science and agriculture were among the other topics raised by Iran’s foreign minister and Serbian prime minister.
Iran’s top diplomat arrived in the Serbian capital of Belgrade on Sunday evening at the official invitation of his counterpart for holding bilateral talks with the Serbian authorities.
