TEHRAN - Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani has said that interference by the Western countries, especially the U.S., in the Middle East region has resulted in the spread of terrorism and insecurity.

Respecting the countries’ sovereign rights is required to fight terrorism, Shamkhani said during a meeting with Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders in Tehran on Monday.

Shamkhani also said that it is essential to solve the problems fundamentally based on mutual respect and through dialogue.

Pointing to the nuclear agreement between Iran and the West, he said that any action to restore sanctions runs contrary to the agreement and will increase distrust.

Under the terms of the nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran will slow down its nuclear program for some 10 to 15 years and instead sanctions against the country will be lifted.

Iran and great powers plan to start talks in New York on implementing the terms of the JCPOA.

--------Dutch FM says nuclear deal will open new chapter in ties with Iran----

The Dutch foreign minister said that the nuclear agreement will open new chapter in relations between Iran and European countries.

Koenders also said that terrorism is a global threat and some countries’ financial supports for the terrorist groups will undermine security and stability in the world.

In his meeting with Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani on Sunday, the top Dutch diplomat also said the financial and military support by some countries to terrorist groups will deepen instability and insecurity in the Middle East and the rest of the world.

In a meeting with Koenders on Sunday, President Rouhani said the Netherlands which will take over as the president of the European Union in early 2016 can help improve ties between Iran and the EU in the post-sanctions time.

Koenders gave assurances to Rouhani that his country prioritizes implementation of the nuclear agreement which will lead to more serious cooperation between Iran and EU countries including the Netherlands.

The Dutch official arrived in Tehran on Sunday.


NA/PA