Slovenian Pres. optimistic about Tehran-Ljubljana economic ties

TEHRAN, Nov. 23 (MNA) – Slovenia’s Borut Pahor, while voicing optimism towards future of relations with Iran, said investors of both countries will be supported. The visiting President of Slovenia Borut Pahor made the remarks at a joint meeting with Gholamhossein Shafei, the Chairman of Iran's Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, on Tuesday in Tehran. “Slovenia, as a member of the European Union (EU), is aware of ongoing difficulties,” said Pahor pointing to Britain’s proposal to exit the Union. He noted that Iran’s nuclear deal holds great significance providing the country with the opportunity to bolster ties with the world; “the EU has played an important role and trade ties between Iran and Slovenia can be strengthened with mutual trust.” “Relations between Iran and the international community had weakened in recent years suggesting the need to return to previous levels,” underlined the official voicing his country’s readiness to develop cooperation with Iran. He further underscored that Slovenian investors were encouraged to embark on collaborations with Iranian traders asserting “having overcome financial crises, we are now ready to join hands with world countries including Iran.” On reopening of the Slovenian Embassy in Tehran, Borut Pahor said the issue was raised at the earlier meeting with the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and the barriers will be hopefully removed. Also at the meeting, ICCIMA Chairman Gholamhossein Shafei said Iran’s nuclear deal with the 5+1 group of countries, which was reached over a year ago, has raised high hopes as Tehran has received high-ranking officials of numerous countries in the meantime. “These official arrived in Tehran leading huge trade delegations,” stressed Shafei adding that they all took on mutual economic ties as their main approach. ICCIMA head said Iran’s main objective was to launch constructive cooperation with world countries at regional and international levels in line with the globalization trend; “success of nuclear negotiations revealed Iran’s determination to bring stability and security to the region.” “In view of its massive economic opportunities, Iran has attracted the attention of the world,” emphasized the official. Shafei deemed Slovenia as Europe's major transit gateway saying “during sanction years, Slovenia showed an active presence in Iran and the volume of trade between the two sides increased largely though the embassy of the European country in Tehran was active only for three years.” The Iranian official expressed hope that the volume of trade between the two sides will experience an uplift within the coming four years; “economic ties are the key to achieving major political goals,” he concluded.