Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is to meet European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini on the sidelines of the forthcoming UN General Assembly for a follow-up discussion on arrangements for “high-level” talks between Iran and the EU, Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi told ISNA on Monday.
The General Debate of the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly will open on September 28. The plan for the “high-level” consultations was announced in a late-July joint press conference between Zarif and Mogherini, who was on a visit to Tehran after the conclusion of the historic nuclear accord between Iran, six major powers and the European Union.
Zarif told the press conference, “(The talks) will cover various topics of interest, namely energy, transportation, environment, human rights and anti-drug campaign.”
“We have had extensive relations with Europe and I hope now that the nuclear deal has been concluded, we can enter a new level (of relations),” the chief nuclear negotiator added.
The prospect for an end to sanctions which Iran will be granted under the deal in exchange for time-bound limits on its nuclear program has created a flurry of interest in foreign countries to gain a foothold in the highly promising, untapped Iranian market.
The accord has provided an investment opportunity for both Europeans and Iranians and the full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (the official name of the deal) is the best way to facilitate and encourage foreign investment in Iran’s market, Mogherini said in the press conference.