Iran calls for coop. with Austria on nuclear disarmament

NEW YORK, Apr. 29 (MNA) – Iran’s Zarif stressing the significance of nuclear disarmament to member states of NAM, called for closer cooperation on this issue with the Austria. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met with his Austrian counterpart Sebastian Kurz on Tuesday on the sidelines of the NPT review conference in New York. Discussing the latest progress in Iran and the 5+1 nuclear talks with the Austrian FM, Zarif addressed the US and some other Western countries, impelling them to take great notice of their announced as well as practiced positions if a comprehensive and permanent nuclear deal were to be reached. Underscoring the significance of the issue of nuclear disarmament to many countries including NAM member states, Zarif expressed the Islamic Republic’s readiness to seek closer cooperation with Austria on this issue. He also deemed it necessary for the two countries to further consultations and delegation exchange given the various fields of mutual interest. The Austrian FM, for his part, extended his satisfaction with the latest developments in Iran’s nuclear negotiations, stressing “member states of the European Union have the required incentive to reach a final nuclear accord and are taking serious steps toward this objective.” Sebastian Kurz described Tehran-Vienna's close cooperation and consultations in various international arenas, the current NPT conference and the Treaty’s objectives in particular the nuclear disarmament as ‘significant’ and ‘constructive.’ He also announced that an Austrian delegation of industrialists and businessmen will visit Tehran in the near future to hold talks with the Iranian side.