Iran president urges peace in Mideast, Balkans

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has reaffirmed the Islamic Republic’s opposition to violence and extremism, calling for the restoration of peace in the Middle East and the Balkans.

“Different regions in the world, including the Middle East and the Balkans, should turn into regions of peace and calm,” Rouhani said in a meeting with Serbia's Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic in Tehran on Tuesday.

He urged all countries to make efforts for a world devoid of violence and extremism, saying, "the Islamic Republic of Iran opposes extremism and violence anywhere.”

He emphasized that ethnic strife and extremism would hinder the establishment of peace and security.

Rouhani further referred to a recent nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers and said, “These [nuclear] negotiations showed that other regional and international problems could be also resolved within the framework of logic and through negotiating table.”

On July 14, Iran and the P5+1 countries – the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia plus Germany – finalized the text of an agreement, dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in the Austrian capital of Vienna.

Under the JCPOA, limits are put on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for a set of commitments by the P5+1, including the removal of all economic and financial sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

The Iranian president also stressed the importance of Tehran-Belgrade ties in economic, scientific, cultural and tourism sectors.

Serbia’s willingness to boost Iran ties

Dacic, who is also Serbia’s first deputy prime minister, said his country is keen to improve ties with Iran in all fields, particularly in economic arena.

Serbia also calls for cooperation with Iran in the oil and gas sectors, he added.

Iran economic team due in Serbia

The Serbian foreign minister also held talks with Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif about mutual ties as well as regional and international developments.

During the meeting, Zarif welcomed Serbia’s readiness to attend Iran-Serbia Joint Economic Committee meeting in Tehran in the near future.

He said an economic delegation comprising Iran’s state-run and private sectors is planned to travel to Belgrade.

The Iranian minister also gave a positive assessment of close political consultations between the two countries’ officials at different levels.

Dacic, for his part, said Belgrade is interested in the expansion of political, economic and parliamentary ties with Iran.

Enhanced Tehran-Belgrade ties

Dacic also held a separate meeting with Ali Akbar Velayati, a top adviser to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

Velayati said Iran and Serbia can improve relations through regular exchange of visits between officials and the two countries’ joint economic committee.

He said there are good prospects for Iran and Serbia to broaden their cooperation.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk