A senior Philippine official said his country backs the recent nuclear agreement between Iran and major powers, hoping the settlement will positively affect regional developments and help strengthen relations between Tehran and Manila.
Feliciano Belmonte Jr. made the remarks in a meeting with Ambassador in Manila Ali Asghar Mohammadi, IRNA reported.
Belmonte, who is the speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines, stated that both the government and parliament of the Southeast Asian country believe that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, as the deal is formally known, could be the source of major positive developments in the near future.
“With the ongoing exchange of political, especially parliamentary, delegations the two sides will soon be able to exploit their capacities in political and economic areas with a view to building stronger ties and help connect ordinary people in Iran and the Philippines,” he noted.
He said his fellow lawmakers hold a positive view of the JCPOA, concluded in Vienna on July 14 between Iran and the P5+1 (China, France, Russia, Britain and United States plus Germany), calling for increased meetings between officials of the two countries with the aim of giving a boost to cultural and economic ties.
Referring to 50 years of official relations between Manila and Tehran, Belmonte described Iran as a country that can help restore stability to the Middle East. “Tehran can use its vast potential in all fields to expand relations with Southeast Asia.”
Belmonte said in his April visit to Iran for a meeting with Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani, he received a very warm welcome from the people and officials during his trips to the historical cities of Isfahan and Shiraz.
The envoy said the Iranian Parliament welcomes the opening of a new chapter in relations between the two countries, describing Belmonte’s visit to Iran as “useful”.
Mohammadi called for increased exchange of friendship delegations, expressing hope that the move would produce positive results.
