President Hassan Rouhani said Iran can serve as a gateway to the Middle East region for Portugal.
In a meeting with Portuguese Foreign Minister Rui Machete in Tehran on Monday, the president touched on the long-standing political, economic and cultural relations between Tehran and Lisbon and said, "We believe that Iran can serve as a gateway for Portugal to the highly important Middle East region and, in return, Lisbon can link Tehran to the Portuguese-speaking communities, European countries and other regions like Africa and Latin America," according to the official site of the presidential office.
Rouhani referred to the exchange of visits between the two countries' officials over the past year and said, "We see this trip as the beginning of more active bilateral relations."
The chief executive called for efforts to seek solutions to challenges, such as violence and terrorism, which have afflicted not only the region but Europ and other regions in the world.
He pointed out, "Our nations and histories require world leaders to cooperate to put an end to all the challenges facing humanity."
Rouhani referred to the ongoing talks between Iran and the six major powers (the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany) over Tehran's nuclear program and said, "The Iranian nation is resolved to enjoy nuclear technology for peaceful purposes."
Machete, for his part, referred to the deep relations between the two states and said, "Portugal is keen to expand relations with Iran, and today the ground is prepared for improving our mutual ties."
