A member of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission said improved relations between Iran and European countries would help solve Middle East crises.
In an interview with ICANA on Sunday, Ahmad Shouhani said enhanced Iranian-European cooperation is possible, because the two sides can address the needs of each other.
Shouhani explained that Europeans need Iranian resources to meet their energy demand and its cooperation to settle regional problems.
“There is a change in the pessimistic attitude [of European countries] toward Tehran,” he said. “Now, they recognize Iran’s status [on the global scene].”
Pointing to the recent trip of President Hassan Rouhani to Italy and France from January 25 to 29, the lawmaker said he believes the visit would definitely help boost mutual cooperation with Europe.
“A new phase in Iran-Europe relations will begin,” he said. “Following the development of ties [with France and Italy], other European countries would also [seek to] strengthen connections with Iran.”
Rouhani embarked on a European tour at the head of a high-ranking political and business delegation and met Italian and French leaders. They signed economic deals worth a total of $51 billion and vowed closer collaboration to eradicate terrorism and bring peace to the world.
Another member of the Majlis commission, Hojjatollah Khodaei Soori, also told ICANA on Sunday that it is in line with the EU interests to not continue following the US policies on the region.
“Lack of convergence with Iran [on regional issues] has inflicted severe harm to the EU,” he said. “Europeans should engage in cooperation with Iran in good faith and do not try to interfere in the [internal] affairs of regional states.”
Tehran will host an EU delegation early next month for the first round of high-level consultations that will cover a wide range of political, economic, regional and international issues.
The talks come after the implementation of the nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers on January 16, which led to the removal of international sanctions on Iran.
