Azernews.Az

Thursday March 28 2024

EU foreign policy chief eyes political, economic goals in Iran

29 July 2015 10:00 (UTC+04:00)
EU foreign policy chief eyes political, economic goals in Iran

A senior economist says the EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini's agenda in visiting Iran includes both nuclear-political and economic objectives.

Mogherini started visiting Iran on July 28 and met with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and President Hassan Rouhani.

The visit of European Union's foreign policy chief to Tehran is focused on boosting trade relations with Iran, said Majid Takht Ravanchi, Iranian deputy foreign minister and member of the nuclear negotiation team.

Mogherini follows on from German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel’s visit to Iran last week, the first senior figure from the EU to visit the country since the deal.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius also will pay an official visit to Tehran on July 29. Other high-ranking European officials are due to travel to Tehran soon as well.

Iran and P5+1 achieved comprehensive nuclear deal on July 14 and the economic sanctions on Iran would be removed in 4 to 6 months based on this agreement.

Responding to Trend’s questions about Mogherini’s agenda in Iran, a professor of economics at U.S. Northeastern University Kamran Dadkhah said on July 28 that “in my view the main objectives are economic. “After sanctions are lifted, Iran provides a great opportunity for investment and trade. Countries around the world but mainly China, Russia, the United States, and European countries will compete to avail themselves of the possibilities of investment in Iran and expansion of their trade. Thus it is important for Europe not to fall behind”.

Dadkhah added that China and Russia have established relationships with Iran. “Chinese goods have saturated Iranian markets. Russia has struck a deal to receive oil in exchange for goods and services and has sold S300 missiles to Iran. There is also a talk of opening a trade center with the U.S.”, he said.

Dadkhah believes that “it is natural for the European Union to try to establish a foothold. It is in the same line that already Germany, France, Spain, and Italy have sent or sending their representatives to Iran”.

The visits come two weeks after the nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 (US, Russia, China, France, UK , and Germany) was concluded in Vienna.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz

Loading...
Latest See more