President

Closer Ties with Neighbors Iran’s Top Priority

Rasa - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said improving ties and cooperation with neighboring states is a top priority in Iran’s foreign policy.

News ID: 426007

Date: 24 December 2016 - 22:50

RNA - “One of the fundamental principles of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s foreign policy is maintaining close ties with neighbors, particularly countries in Central Asia and the Caucasus,” Rouhani said on Saturday upon his return from a Caucasus and Central Asia tour that took him to Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

The current situation in the region makes it necessary for Iran to enhance ties with neighbors and friends in the region and hold further consultations with them in order to be able to more effectively tackle the threats facing all regional nations, such as terrorism and insecurity, the Iranian president added.

Stressing the need for stronger economic relations with friendly countries in the post-sanctions era, he said they are keen to make investments in Iran and establish economic ties with the Islamic Republic following the removal of anti-Tehran sanctions.

The sanctions were lifted after Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) reached the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, in July 2015 and implemented it in January this year.

During the president’s three-day tour of the Caucasus and Central Asia, Iran signed a total of 15 cooperation agreements with the three countries in different areas, including visa requirements, banking, technical and engineering services, agriculture, and security issues.

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