Greek PM Tsipras in Iran for Official Visit
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Heading an economic delegation, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras arrived in the central Iranian city of Isfahan on Sunday as the first destination of his official trip, which will later bring him to Tehran for talks with high-ranking Iranian officials.
Tsipras and his delegation arrived at Isfahan’s Shahid Beheshti Airport and were welcomed by the Governor-General of Isfahan Rasool Zargarpour.
Speaking at the airport, Tsipras expressed his pleasure with choosing the historical city of Isfahan, “the cultural capital of Iran”, as the first destination of his trip.
“Iran and Greece have historically had deep cultural ties, and the cultures of these two countries, along with that of Egypt, are among the world’s richest cultures,” Tsipras added.
“Now, under the current circumstances, the ties between Iran and Greece need to be strengthened more than ever,” he stressed.
The Greek delegation is scheduled to visit Isfahan’s historical sites, and will then depart for the Iranian capital to hold meetings with the country’s officials.
Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias had said during his visit to Tehran in September 2015 that Tsipras would visit the Iranian capital in the near future.
The visit comes against the backdrop of a nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, whose implementation was officially started on January 16.
Based on the agreement, which had been finalized back in July 2015, all nuclear-related anti-Iran sanctions were removed.