Zarif Urges Further Efforts to Boost Iran-Portugal Ties
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif stressed the need for further efforts to promote bilateral relations between Tehran and Lisbon in various spheres, culture and economy in particular.
Speaking in a meeting with Portuguese Deputy Foreign Minister Jorge Costa Oliveira in Tehran on Saturday, Zarif said the grounds are provided for the expansion of ties between Iran and Portugal.
He added that promotion of Persian language in the southern European country is one of the ways to strengthen ties between the two countries.
The Iranian top diplomat also underlined that in the area of economy, the settlement of banking problems can also enhance bilateral trade.
Oliveira, for his part, emphasized the necessity for teaching both Persian and Portuguese languages in the two countries and said companies in his country are interested in working in the Iranian market.
The remarks come against the backdrop of a new wave of interest in ties with Iran after Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) on July 14, 2015 reached a conclusion over the text of a comprehensive 159-page deal on Tehran's nuclear program and started implementing it on January 16.
The comprehensive nuclear deal, known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), terminated all nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran.
Experts believe that Iran's economic growth would rise remarkably after the final nuclear deal takes effect.
