A final nuclear deal will remove obstacles to economic ties with Iran: Dutch envoy

TEHRAN,June 18(MNA) – Dutch ambassador to Tehran Johans Duma said that if Iran and the major powers succeed to clinch a final nuclear agreement the obstacles to expansion of economic ties with Iran will be removed. Ambassador Duma made the remarks in a meeting with Iranian Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani on Monday. The statement by the ambassador came as Iran and the 5+1 group -- the United States, France, Britain, Russia, China, and Germany – started a new round of nuclear talks in Vienna on Monday. The talks are intended to build on an interim deal struck in November, according to which Tehran agreed not to expand its nuclear program for six months in exchange for limited sanctions relief. The agreement came into force on January 20. It set a July 20 deadline to clinch a long-term deal that would lead to a gradual lifting of all nuclear-related sanctions on Iran. But the agreement also included a provision stating that the deadline could be extended by six months if a deal cannot be reached by July 20. Commenting on bilateral relations, Larijani, for his part, said historical relations between Iran and the Netherlands can lay the groundwork for promotion of economic, political and parliamentary ties. Pointing to the European Union’s part in development of ties, Larijani said Iran has a great economic capacity. The EU can play a positive role in expansion of economic and political interactions among Iran and the bloc’s members, the parliament speaker added. Duma also said exchange of visits among the two countries’ parliamentarians will help promote ties.