The Iranian foreign minister will first pay a one-day visit to Kuwait on Saturday.
After returning to Iran, Zarif will then depart for the Finnish capital of Helsinki late Sunday, and hold talks with the Scandinavian nation’s president, Sauli Niinistö, and foreign minister, Pekka Haavisto, on Monday.
The Iranian top diplomat will also meet Finland’s minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari.
The ongoing tensions in the Persian Gulf will be a focus of talks between Zarif and Finland officials, the Finnish foreign ministry told Euronews.
Helsinki seeks to know more about Tehran’s ideas to ease tensions in the region during Zarif’s trip, the foreign ministry said.
“Tensions in the Persian Gulf have an impact on the entire world. The importance of maintaining a dialogue is emphasised in this situation.”
“Discussion topics in the meetings will include bilateral relations, international and regional issues, human rights issues and Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Finland, the rotating president of the European Union, will elaborate on its goals and plans during its presidency during talks with the Iranian foreign minister.
Zarif will later leave Helsinki for Stockholm and Oslo, where he is going to hold talks with top Swedish and Norwegian officials.
