Foreign relations Archives - Iran News Daily

Iran adapts to new realities in foreign relations

mahla — Sat, 30 Jul 2022 19:25:27 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) – Despite growing uncertainties over nuclear talks with the West, Iran has moved to develop its foreign relations with many countries in the world and upgrade them to a strategic level in some cases.

Developing Iran’s foreign relations is no longer contingent on the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). This is what can be inferred from Iran’s diplomatic moves over the course of the Ebrahim Raisi presidency. Upon assuming office in August 2021, Raisi moved to strengthen Iran’s ties with neighboring counties and non-Western world powers.

In the early weeks of his presidency, Ayatollah Raisi succeeded to set the stage for Iran to become a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The process of granting Iran a full membership status began last year, but it will be finalized in the next SCO summit due to be held in Samarkand in mid-September. The Uzbek acting foreign minister, Vladimir Norov, has recently said that the organization is preparing the necessary documents that Iran needs to sign to become a full member. “In Samarkand, a memorandum on Iran’s obligations as an SCO member will be signed,” Norov said.

In addition to the SCO, Iran is also seeking to join the group of emerging economies that is called BRICS. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian has said that Iran is one of the first countries that is going to become a member of BRICS +.

BRICS includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

In parallel with its efforts to join prestigious international institutions, the Raisi administration also mounted an extensive diplomatic push to patch up ties with some Arab counties in the West Asia region. President Raisi and Amir Abdollahian have visited certain Arab countries. Now, these efforts appear to be bearing fruits as the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait have decided to dispatch ambassadors to Iran soon. As regards relations with Saudi Arabia, a meeting is being arranged between the foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia in Baghdad.

Also, Iran has worked with China and Russia toward signing strategic partnerships. On Friday afternoon, President Xi Jinping of China spoke with President Raisi for an hour about a range of issues, including China’s desire to strengthen strategic partnership with Iran.

“China views its relations with Iran from a strategic perspective and stands ready to work with Iran to push for new progress in the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership,” President Xi said in the conversation, according to Xinhua.

Emphasizing the strategic importance of China-Iran relations and his country’s efforts to strengthen the key strategic and security cooperation between the two countries, especially in commercial, economic, infrastructure and energy fields, the Chinese president stated, “The implementation of the 25-year comprehensive cooperation document between the two countries is a big step in this direction, and on this basis, I am issuing the necessary orders for the development of all-round strategic relations with Iran, including in the economic field.”

Raisi and Xi also agreed to accelerate the implementation process of the 25-year comprehensive cooperation plan by proposing cooperation development initiatives and expressing satisfaction with the development of relations and leap in commercial exchanges over the past one year, according to a readout of the call put out by the Iranian presidency.

All this took place at a time when the situation around the 2015 nuclear deal is vague and unclear. However, Iran said it will not tie its foreign policy to the fate of the JCPOA.

Nasser Kanaani, the spokesman for the Iranian foreign ministry, recently said Iran’s neighborly policy is not contingent on the nuclear deal.

“False dichotomy between JCPOA (of which Iran, unlike US, remains a party) & good ties between Iran & its neighbors, inc. Russia, doesn’t hide the fact that indecision of the unfaithful US is the main hurdle for a deal,” Kanaani said on Twitter. “Our neighborly policy is not contingent on JCPOA or US permission.”

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Iran Seeks Closer Relations with Nigeria

reporter 1222 — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 09:53:27 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) – President of Iran Hassan Rouhani called for the enhancement of relations with Nigeria as the bilateral, regional and international levels.

In a message to his Nigerian counterpart Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, Rouhani congratulated the African government and nation on the 60t anniversary of its independence.

He also expressed hope for the promotion of cooperation between Tehran and Abuja in the bilateral, regional and international fields considering the ample opportunities for political, economic and parliamentary interaction.

Nigeria’s Independence Day marks the African nation’s proclamation of independence from British rule on October 1, 1960.

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Iran, Azerbaijan Ties Growing: President Aliyev

reporter 1222 — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 03:54:55 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) – Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev hailed the “fast growing” Baku-Tehran relations noting that bilateral ties between Iran and Azerbaijan are currently at high level.

He made the remarks on ties in a meeting with the new Iranian Ambassador in Baku Seyyed Abbas Mousavi late on Monday when the latter submitted his credentials to the president of Azerbaijan, IRNA reported.

Referring to the improving relations between the two capitals, Aliyev referred to recent phone calls with his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani, saying they have discussed major issues and agreed officials of the two countries have regular online contacts amid coronavirus pandemic.

Aliyev added some important transport and energy projects will be fully implemented in the coming years.

Commenting on the meeting, Mousavi wrote on his Twitter account, “Today, as the new Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Republic of Azerbaijan, I had the honor to meet with Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the friendly, brotherly and neighboring country to present my credentials.”

“In this cordial and long meeting, he expressed his determination to promote bilateral relations in all fields. I also said that the will of all high-ranking Iranian officials is based on excellent relations between the two countries without any restrictions,” he said.

Prior to be appointed as Iran’s new ambassador to Azerbaijan, Mousavi served as the spokesman of the Foreign Minsitry.

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Brazil Calls Relations with Iran Important

reporter 1222 — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 10:41:15 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) – Considering the relations with Iran as an important issue for Brazil, the Brazilian envoy told Hossein Amir-Abdollahian that his country welcomes expanding relations and cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Iranian Parliament Speaker’s Special Aide for International Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian met and held talks with Rodrigo de Azeredo Santos, the Brazilian Ambassador to Tehran.

In this meeting, Amir-Abdollahian hailed the historical and friendly relations between Iran and Brazil, stressing that these historical and long-term relations can be strengthened at different levels.

Referring to the forming of the Iran-Brazil Parliamentary Friendship Group in the Iranian parliament, he considered the role of parliamentary friendship groups in facilitating relations between the two countries as a key element.

Amir-Abdollahian went on to say, “ The Iranian Parliament in the framework of the Iran-Brazil Parliamentary Friendship Group and some specialized committees, welcomes cooperation, exchange of delegations and negotiation with the Brazilian counterparts.”

Rodrigo de Azeredo Santos, for his part, referred to the commonalities between Brazil and the Islamic Republic of Iran in various fields, adding that in order to promote relations between the two countries, there are good potentials in various fields, especially in the field of parliamentary relations.

Considering the relations with Iran as an important issue for Brazil, the Brazilian envoy also expressed his country’s readiness to expand relations and cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Elsewhere in their remarks, the two officials discussed and exchanged views on the issue of Palestine and Amir-Abdollahian stressed the importance of paying special attention to the rights of the Palestinian people.

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Iran, Italy Seeking Promotion of Trade Ties amid Sanctions

reporter 1222 — Sun, 02 Aug 2020 08:40:34 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) – The authoritative consultancy think tank, the European Foundation – Ambrosetti organized a virtual meeting summit to discuss the promotion of trade partnership between Iran and Italy.

Ambrosetti in partnership with the Italian Embassy in Tehran and Tehran’s Chamber of Commerce hosted the virtual Business forum on “Economic relations between Italy and Iran in the current context: non-oil sectors, SMEs’ role, EU support”.

More than 800 Italian and Iranian representatives from the private sector, business consultants, and professionals attended the online event, aimed at discussing avenues for economic cooperation, building on a longstanding tradition of friendly relations and vibrant economic bonds between Italy and Iran.

The online event offered participants the opportunity to analyze the current economic context and lay the premises for increased cooperation. Furthermore, a special virtual B2B session was held where participants established direct contact, with a view to exploring options for further cooperation and exchange.

In his opening remarks the Italian Ambassador in Tehran, Giuseppe Perrone, highlighted Italy’s wish to bring economic and trade relations with Iran back on a positive trajectory.

While appreciating the commitment and professionalism by the Iranian private sector, he pointed out the deep historical ties existing between the two countries as well as the significant number of Italian companies who over the years have built strong relationships in Iran and look forward to the opportunity of advancing their cooperation.

On his part, the Chairman of Tehran’s Chamber of Commerce, Masoud Khansari, encouraged participants to bet on Iran’s important economic potential and to develop effective partnerships, including by seizing the opportunities available in the broader region.

Khansari also recognized the special role Italy has always played as a key partner to the Iranian private sector in trade and investment activities, wishing that Italian companies continue to be a reference point for their Iranian counterparts.

The event also included a presentation by experts from the European Union, of new tools made available at the EU level to facilitate trade relations between European companies and Iranian ones.

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Iran, Switzerland Ties to Grow, Rouhani Says

reporter 1222 — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 08:30:14 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani expressed confidence that the friendly ties between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Switzerland will grow considering the ample opportunities for mutual cooperation.

In a message for President of the Swiss Confederation Simonetta Sommaruga on Saturday, Rouhani congratulated the European government and nation on its national day.

As Iran and Switzerland are going to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations, “I believe that with employing diverse capacities for cooperation within the framework of the road map to relations, the friendly and historical ties between the two countries will further grow,” he added.

Since 1891, the first of August has been celebrated as Swiss National Day. The date refers to a historic alliance concluded in 1291 by the three cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden.

This alliance was to become the focal point around which the Switzerland of today was built over the next 500 years.

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Iran Willing to Boost Relations with Mongolia

reporter 1222 — Sat, 11 Jul 2020 06:56:03 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) – In a congratulatory message to his counterpart in Mongolia, the president of Iran voiced Tehran’s willingness to broaden relations with Ulaanbaatar in various fields.

In a message for Khaltmaagiin Battulga on Saturday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani congratulated the East Asian country on its National Day.

He also expressed hope that mutual efforts by the two countries would strengthen and expand the bilateral relations in all fields.

Mongolia celebrates the Naadam Festival with public holidays from July 11 until 15. The first day of the festival takes place on Revolution Day, Mongolia’s National Day, which commemorates independence from China on July 11, 1921.

Rouhani and his Mongolian counterpart met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in China in June 2018.

In the gathering, Rouhani expressed Tehran’s readiness to develop and strengthen economic and trade ties with Mongolia, saying closer economic cooperation would serve the interests of both nations.

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Zarif heading for Moscow

reporter 1222 — Tue, 16 Jun 2020 05:26:35 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif heading a delegation left Istanbul for Moscow on Tuesday.

During his stay in Turkey, Zarif held talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on bilateral, regional and international issues, IRNA reported.

Both sides signed MoU on diplomatic missions of Iran and Turkey and prepared a list of new products to include in preferential tariffs Agreement already signed between the two countries.

Earlier on Monday Zarif in a Twitter message hailed his fruitful talks in Turkey, saying that productive talks with my friend @MevlutCavusoglu & other senior officials in Istanbul.”

“In-depth exchange & fruitful decisions on bilateral cooperation, and also regional & global issues,” he added.

“Close consultations imperative. Next stop: Moscow. Neighbors always our priority,” he noted.

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FDI in Iran Increased till January

reporter 1222 — Wed, 05 Feb 2020 06:32:47 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) – Foreign direct investments (FDI) in Iran increased by 50 percent during the first 10 months of the current Iranian year (March 21, 2019-January 20, 2020) compared to the same period last year, Iranian Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Farhad Dejpasand announced.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, the minister said the country had witnessed this rise in FDI despite the tough conditions resulting from the unfair US sanctions imposed on Iran, IRNA reported.

The official also noted that the country’s non-oil exports during the first 10 months of the current year have undergone a 20-percent rise in terms of weight.

The value of the country’s foreign trade hasn’t changed in the mentioned period compared to the figure for last year, according to Dejpasand.

He further mentioned the significant role of banks in the expansion of the country’s economy, saying that by diversifying banking services, revenue can be increased by 30 to 50 percent, while using artificial intelligence (AI) in banks can increase revenues by 17 percent and reduce costs by 25 percent.

In early December 2019, Dejpasand elaborated on his ministry’s programs to nullify the sanctions through measures such as strengthening trade and exports and providing the required funds for infrastructure and production projects, especially through the allocation of banking facilities.

He further mentioned reforming the banking system as one of his major programs since taking his post as the finance minister.

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