President Hassan Rouhani said the current situation in the region necessitates closer contacts among regional countries to make them better prepared to confront crises.
Back from a three-leg tour of Central Asian and Caucasian states where he discussed betterment of mutual ties and oversaw the signing of bilateral agreements, Rouhani said on Friday Iranian foreign policy stipulates good ties with neighbors and friendly countries.
The president paid state visits to Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan—all members of the Eurasian Economic Union—on three days of a tight schedule.
“Countries in Central Asia and the Caucasus are in the same region as Iran and are our neighbors and thus important. A principle of our foreign policy is [maintaining] close ties with friends and neighbors,” Rouhani said back in Tehran on Friday, Press TV reported.
“Under the current circumstances in the region, the closer [our] ties are with friends and countries, and the more consultations are held, the more precise plans will be devised and the better we can tackle problems.”
The president noted that in the post-sanctions era, there was a need to look at ties with friendly countries, and, on the other hand, friends, too, were keen to establish economic ties with the Islamic Republic.
International sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear program were terminated under a comprehensive deal between Iran and six world powers in January 2016. Following the removal of the sanctions, regional and non-regional countries took the opportunity to reinvigorate economic activities with Iran.
Rouhani said during his tour, Iran and Armenia agreed to revoke their visa regimes and plans were made toward the same end with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
Pointing to an upcoming EEU meeting on December 26, the president said talks were also held with the three EEU member states on implementing measures to facilitate Iran’s membership in the body.
During Rouhani’s regional tour, Iran signed 15 cooperation agreements with the three countries in different areas, including visa requirements, banking, technical and engineering services, agriculture and security.
