TEHRAN – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella set the stage for strong economic and political ties in a high-profile meeting in Rome on Monday.

The meeting took place ten days after the July 2015 nuclear deal, which removes sanctions against Iran, went into force.

Rouhani said the two countries could not unleash their potential for an increase in ties because of “unfair and wrong” sanctions against Iran and now this should be compensated.

Rouhani said now the situation is ripe for the transfer of capital and new technologies to Iran.

He added Iran and Italy can establish extensive cooperation in new technologies, mining, agriculture, science, and culture.

Pointing to roots of instability in the Middle East region, the president called Iran a stable and democratic country which attaches great importance to ties with European countries, especially Italy.

“In the new atmosphere the level of ties should be expanded,” the president noted.

The president also said Iran enjoys a unique status in terms of fissile fuels, skilled workforce and geographical location.

“Iran is not just an 80 million country, rather it is situated in a region connecting Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Indian Ocean and this strategic position can be used for joint exports in the best way.”

Elsewhere in his talks with the Italian president, Rouhani said the nuclear deal between Iran and great powers (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany) can serve as an example for settling regional and international disputes.

He also thanked Italy for its constructive stance during the nuclear talks between Iran and the major powers.

“From the very beginning the Islamic Republic of Iran believed that negotiation and diplomacy are the solutions to global issues including the (Iran) nuclear issue and the nuclear deal proved that diplomacy is the best option for resolving issues and attaining durable peace.”

The president also said Tehran and Rome can effectively consult and cooperate in the fight against terrorism and extremism in the Middle East and North Africa.

Terrorism is the greatest problem of the Middle East which threatens the entire world including Europe which cannot be uprooted without a “comprehensive and serious” cooperation, the president noted.

“If the Middle East becomes unstable its damaging effects will also reach Europe.”

Stressing that political approaches are vital to Mideast crises, Rouhani said Iran and Italy as two influential countries can conduct effective cooperation in the area.

Underlining that some states benefit from the existence of terrorism, he urged efforts to eradicate the grounds for political, financial, and military backing of terrorist groups.

----- Italy says era of strong Tehran-Rome ties has begun

The Italian president, for his part, noted the onset of a robust period of growing ties between the two nations, the economic sphere in particular.

Lauding the nuclear deal, he assured the JCPOA will help Iran push its objective of regional peace.

“Italy welcomes and endorses Iran’s constructive role in diplomatically meeting issues in regional countries and we believe we need Iran’s effectiveness in finding fruitful approaches,” Mattarella stated.

Rouhani also invited his Italian counterpart to Iran, which was welcomed by Mattarella.


SP/P