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Zarif Calls on Norway FM, Speaker

Zarif Calls on Norway FM, Speaker
Zarif Calls on Norway FM, Speaker

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Norwegian counterpart, Borge Brende, discussed bilateral relations and international developments in Oslo on Monday.

The two men reviewed ways to expand collaboration in key areas, namely political, economy, energy, banking and the environment.  

They also exchanged views on regional conflicts, especially in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, IRNA reported.  Later in the day, Zarif called on the Norwegian Parliament Speaker Olemic Thommessen.

In the meeting, Zarif said the removal of international sanctions on Iran under its nuclear deal with world powers has enabled the two countries to exploit the vast potential for effective cooperation.  

"The two countries' interaction can be developed in many fields, from fishing to energy."

Thommessen said his country welcomes efforts to take bilateral relations to a higher level, hoping for closer interaction between the two legislatures.

  Addressing the Oslo Forum

Zarif left Tehran for a three-day visit to Oslo on Sunday night. He will speak on West Asia conflicts at the Oslo Forum on Tuesday.  

The Oslo Forum is a two-day annual international conference of armed conflict mediators and peace process players.

According to its official website, the Oslo Forum "convenes senior conflict mediators, high level decision makers and key peace process actors in a series of informal and discreet retreats to share experience, identify challenges and reflect on mediation practice."

Other participants at the gathering this year include US Secretary of State John Kerry and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini.

  JCPOA Discussions

Zarif told IRAN he will meet Kerry on the sidelines of the event on Wednesday to "follow up on the US commitment to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action," as the nuclear deal between Iran the six major powers (Russia, China, the US, Britain and France, plus Germany) is formally known.

Zarif is accompanied by two deputy ministers, Majid Takht-Ravanchi and Abbas Araqchi, in addition to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hossein Jaberi Ansari.  

Later on Wednesday and before flying back to Tehran, Zarif will stop in Berlin for talks with his German counterpart, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, to discuss bilateral and regional issues.  

Last month, the top diplomat completed a five-day tour of four European states, namely Poland, Finland, Sweden and Latvia.

Financialtribune.com