The Cypriot foreign minister said European Union member states are highly optimistic that Iran and the major powers can reach a nuclear agreement.
In a meeting with Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani in Tehran on Monday, Ioannis Kasoulides referred to the nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1(the five permanent UN Security Council members and Germany) and said, "There is great optimism among EU members about reaching a nuclear agreement between Iran and the major powers," IRNA reported.
Kasoulides expressed his country's willingness to expand relations with Iran and said, "Cyprus is well aware of Iran's significant and effective role in the region and welcomes promotion of ties with the country."
Touching on the current conditions in the region, the Cypriot official said some regional states provide support to terrorist groups, an approach which has led to further reinforcement of such groups, adding that the key regional states should play their due role to help decrease terrorists' influence in the region.
Ali Larijani, for his part, referred to the ongoing negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 and said, "Reaching a comprehensive nuclear agreement depends on a realistic view on the part of Iran's negotiating partners, recognition of Iran's right to enjoy nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and avoiding political haggling," adding that it is possible to clinch a deal through adopting such an approach.
The parliament speaker highlighted the "cordial relations" between Iran and Cyprus which is based on both states' mutual interests and said, "Top-ranking officials in the two countries have shown political resolve to enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields, a fact which promises a bright future for bilateral ties."
He praised Cyprus's humanitarian stance toward the massacre of the innocent people in Gaza by the Zionist regime and noted, "The logical position of Cyprus indicates it has a realistic understanding of international developments and regional and international crises."
He said the critical situation in the region is the result of actions by terrorist groups and said, "Supporting and reinforcing terrorists by some states in the region, dividing terrorism into good and bad by western countries and the instrumental use of such groups are but a few of the reasons behind the expansion of activities of terrorist groups in the region and the world."
Violence Rejected
In a separate meeting on Sunday, the visiting Cypriot foreign minister conferred with President Hassan Rouhani.
The president said "violence" and "barbarism" are condemned in any country and against any nation with any race and religion, adding, "We believe the terrorist actions in Paris, London, Berlin or Washington should be equally condemned as the killings of people in Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Lebanon and Syria."
Touching on regional developments, he said, "The current conditions in the Middle East and Mediterranean regions demand increased cooperation between us to combat extremism, terrorism and violence."
Rouhani called for expansion of cooperation in tourism and cultural and scientific areas, adding that Iran and Cyprus enjoy great capacities for cultural cooperation and they can establish closer relations in tourism.
Kasoulides, for his part, said the Cypriot people and government are keen to develop closer relations with Iran and said, "Today, there is a great opportunity to expand cooperation in various fields and we can explore ways to address extremism and violence through greater cooperation."
He stated, "Cyprus is trying to use all its potential to boost relations with Iran, and in this line business delegations are going to visit Tehran over the next months," adding, "We hope to witness good progress in economic interaction between the two countries."
