Japan, Iran Agree to Conclude Investment Pact

Tehran, Oct. 12 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif agreed in their talks in Tehran on Monday that their countries will conclude an investment treaty to enhance bilateral economic relations. Meeting reporters with Zarif after the talks, which lasted for about one and a half hours, Kishida said that he welcomes the two sides reached an effective agreement and that he will make efforts for the conclusion and effectuation of the investment pact as soon as possible. Kishida said he was able to fruitfully exchange views in light of the new situation, referring to their first meeting since Iran reached a nuclear accord with six world powers in July. Kishida and Zarif agreed that Japan will cooperate with Iran in the nuclear safety field so that Iran can fulfill the nuclear accord. Japan aims to help Iran firmly fulfill the accord in order to encourage the United States and European countries to lift sanctions against Tehran. In the talks, the two foreign ministers agreed to set up a bilateral cooperation council aimed at strengthening relations between their countries comprehensively. Later, they discussed chiefly Middle East affairs over lunch. Kishida told Zarif that a political solution is needed for civil war in Syria and that a role Iran can play will be very big, urging Tehran's cooperation. Behind his remarks are the perception that active involvement by Iran, which backs the Syrian regime of President Bashar Assad together with Russia, is indispensable for settling the current turmoil in the nation. Japan and Iran had traditionally maintained an amicable relationship, but Tehran's suspected nuclear weapons development and resultant international sanctions affected bilateral relations, with major Japanese resources developer Inpex Corp. <1605> forced to withdraw from oil development in the Azadegan field. The July nuclear accord led European countries to change course to strengthen relations with Iran. Kishida made the first visit as a Japanese cabinet minister to the country since the accord was reached, in a bid to rebuild Japan's relations with Iran, which is rich in natural resources and has a big market. END