Iran Concerned About Terrorist Bombing Against Cultural Office In Lebanon

Tehran, Feb 24, IRNA – Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif on Sunday voiced concern about terrorist bombing against Iranian cultural office in Beirut, Lebanon. In a meeting with Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Didier Reynders, Zarif said that the terrorist bombings pose a big security challenge to the region and the entire world. Zarif said that both the Islamic Republic of Iran and the European Union share common concern about terrorism and the two sides can have effective cooperation. The two foreign ministers discussed the regional and international issues, calling for regular consultations and cooperation on mutual interest. Zarif called for Iran-Belgium cooperation on customs, railway, supply of sugar and involvement of Belgian enterprises in Iranian development projects. He said Iran is ready to facilitate cooperation between the private and public sectors. The two foreign ministers underlined cooperation and dialogue between Iran and the European Union with regards to the upcoming visit of the EU foreign policy chief Catherin Ashton. “Iran and the EU can have dialogue and cooperation on many regional issues.” On Afghanistan, Zarif said Iran and the EU share many common agenda including the campaign against drug-trafficking and organized crimes. He said that settlement of nuclear dispute is an unnecessary crisis between Iran and the western governments. Reynders in turn hoped that the Iranian relations with the EU, Belgium in particular, will expand in various fields. He hoped that the mechanism to promote the relations will be worked out. The Belgian deputy prime minister and foreign minister thanked Iran for hosting several million refugees, and said that there are positive grounds for cooperation between Iran and Belgium as well as the EU over the regional and international issues. He said Brussels is interested in expansion of cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran in campaign against drug-trafficking, terrorism and extremism. The Belgian foreign minister said his country believes Iran can play an important role in settlement of crises in the Middle East. He said that Belgium supports Iran-G5+1 nuclear talks, hoping that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the G3+3 would take stride for a permanent and comprehensive agreement to end the nuclear dispute./end