TEHRAN - President Hassan Rouhani said on Monday that Iran and Italy are determined to broaden cooperation in all fields of “mutual interests”, the presidential website reported.
The remarks by Rouhani came after Iran and Italy signed multi-billion dollar contracts covering various sectors including health, transportation, agriculture and energy.
The contracts, worth up to 17 billion euros (18.4 billion dollars), were signed in a ceremony attended by Rouhani and his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella, according to Press TV.
“As a new chapter of cooperation has started in Tehran-Rome ties, energy, new technologies, industry, mining, agriculture and culture can be the fields in which Iran and Italy can expand their cooperation,” Rouhani said in a joint press conference on Monday evening with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
Rouhani expressed Iran’s readiness to invite investments and new technologies and start cooperation for production and export of joint productions, according to the Iranian presidential website.
Describing ties as historical, he added, “As Italy was once Iran’s first trade partner among European Union countries, we are sure that in the new chapter, the two countries’ cooperation can be further developed.”
Referring to the necessity of starting joint investment in a number fields of mutual interests, the president said, “Iran’s special strategic location in the region as the linking point between countries of central Asia, Caucuses and Indian sub-continent implies that it can play the role of a hub for the two countries’ exports.”
Also indicating a more active participation of the two countries’ private sectors for investment, Rouhani stated, “The governments of Iran and Italy will do their utmost to support private sectors in this regard.”
On the regional peace and security, he said, “The achievements of the visit to Italy go beyond bilateral significance and can contribute to world peace, security and stability which are the two countries’ main ideals to be met in the region and over the world for the benefit of all.”
Noting that Iran has always been a “pioneer in combating terrorism”, Rouhani said, “As Iran and Italy once started a joint cooperation for establishing peace and stability in Afghanistan, they can definitely continue the cooperation for peace and stability in the region, as well.”
Iran and Italy are eager to witness security in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya as they are ready to help peace in the region and the larger world and this entails “cultural, political and intelligence cooperation”, he remarked.
The visit to Rome by Rouhani and his accompanying delegation took place immediately after the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (the JCPOA), commonly called nuclear deal, went into force.
“As the JCPOA well proved that diplomacy is the best solution for issues and establishing a sustainable peace, why should we not believe JCPOA can also be an exemplary model for settling the regional and international issues, especially those issues in the Middle East and North Africa,” Rouhani noted.
For his part, the Italian premier said, “Tehran and Rome enjoy historical relations that have resulted in the friendship of the Iranian and Italian nations.”
Renzi described the JCPOA as a starting point for expansion of the two countries’ mutual ties and an example to be followed for the settlement of regional and international issue as well.
“The JCPOA well proved that as Iran and the world powers could agree on the JCPOA, they can also agree on all other regional issues,” the prime minister noted.
Emphasizing Iran’s important role in regional interactions, the Italian prime minister said, “Iran can also play a vital and effective role in achieving peace and democracy in the region and tackling terrorism in the region and over the world.”
“Italy is serious in strengthening relations with Iran in all areas of mutual interests.”
----- Rouhani says economic growth crucial to defeating extremism
Generating economic growth in the Middle East is crucial to defeating extremism, Rouhani said, putting forward his country as a regional trade hub and pillar of stability, according to Reuters.
Rouhani described establishing, expanding and safeguarding peace in the region and over the world as Iran’s principal policy. “Iran has always been for a peaceful coexistence with all neighboring countries and still believe that the only mechanism to settle regional crisis is not merely a military one, but negotiations.”
He also invited the Italian prime minister to pay a visit to Iran.
Appreciating Rouhani for his invitation, Renzi promised to pay visit to Iran in near future. Tehran Times
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