The visiting political director of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs met with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Sunday. Wegger Christian Strommen briefed the foreign minister on his “intensive consultations” with his Iranian counterpart on bilateral ties and regional and international issues, saying Oslo is resolved to increase cooperation with Tehran, IRNA reported. He described Iran as a major country in the Middle East which makes efforts to promote stability in the region. Commenting on the nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany), the Norwegian diplomat expressed hope that the negotiations would reach a conclusion soon so that the sanctions on Iran, which have damaged trade between Tehran and its “traditional partners”, would be lifted swiftly.
Zarif, for his part, said the European Union is able to play a key role to help the talks reach a comprehensive deal to resolve the dispute over Tehran’s nuclear program.
