Tehran welcomes growing ties with EU members, including Austria

In the meeting that was held on Monday local time on the margins of the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Rouhani said, “Tehran welcomes growing relations with European Union member countries, including Austria and I hope we witness further development of ties and cooperation with more collaboration”.

“In the post-JCPOA era, there is a good opportunity for further cementing relations with all European countries, and with regard to vast opportunities that the two countries have, particularly in investment, trade, science and modern technologies, cooperation must be promoted,” ISNA quoted him as saying.

“Any economic move requires good atmosphere and in the recent years, no country or company investing in Iran regrets it,” the Iranian President went on to say.

“There are ample opportunities for investment in Iran, including in the field of energy, roads and railroads, banking and insurance, tourism, research and technology that Austria can take advantage of,” he continued.

Referring to the role of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in development of cooperation, Rouhani said, “Full implementation of JCPOA is beneficial to EU and the region; therefore, it is essential that the EU play its role in this field to serve its own and European companies’ interests”.

Mentioning to the regional issues, including the fight of the peoples of the region against terrorism, President Rouhani said, “Iran has responded positively to the fight against terrorism upon the request of the Iraqi and Syrian governments, and continues to fight until the final victory is achieved”.

He described any change in the geographical boundaries of the countries of the region as dangerous, and said, "The new concern is the talk of referendum on the independence of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, which can create a new and very dangerous tension and conflict”.

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen also called for broadening and deepening Tehran-Vienna cooperation in all areas, saying, "We are interested in good relations and direct investment in Iran".

He also referred to promising figures on Iran's economy in the global stage, adding, "These figures are very promising, and encourage European and Austrian companies to participate in the Iranian market more than before".