Iran president urges peace in Mideast, Balkans

Iranian President Rouhani has reaffirmed the Islamic Republic’s opposition to violence and extremism, calling for the restoration of peace in the Middle East and the Balkans.

“Different regions in the world, including the Middle East and the Balkans, should turn into regions of peace and calm,” Rouhani said in a meeting with Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic in Tehran on Tuesday.

He urged all countries to make efforts for a world devoid of violence and extremism, saying, “the Islamic Republic of Iran opposes extremism and violence anywhere.”

He said that ethnic strife and extremism hinder the establishment of peace and security.

Rouhani further referred to a recent nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers and said, “These [nuclear] negotiations showed that other regional and international problems could be also resolved within the framework of logic at the negotiating table.”

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The Iranian president also stressed the importance of Tehran-Belgrade ties in economic, scientific, cultural and tourism sectors.

Serbia’s willingness to boost Iran ties

Dacic, who is also Serbia’s first deputy prime minister, said his country is keen to improve ties with Iran in all fields, particularly in economic arena.

Serbia also calls for cooperation with Iran in the oil and gas sectors, he added.

Iran economic team due in Serbia

The Serbian foreign minister also held talks with Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif about mutual ties as well as regional and international developments.

During the meeting, Zarif welcomed Serbia’s readiness to attend an Iran-Serbia Joint Economic Committee meeting in Tehran in the near future.

He said an economic delegation comprising representatives of Iran’s state-run and private sectors is planned to travel to Belgrade.

The Iranian minister also gave a positive assessment of close political consultations between the two countries’ officials at different levels.

Dacic, for his part, said Belgrade is interested in expansion of political, economic and parliamentary ties with Iran.

Enhanced Tehran-Belgrade ties

Dacic also held a separate meeting with Ali Akbar Velayati, a top adviser to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

Velayati said Iran and Serbia can improve relations through regular official exchanges and the two countries’ joint economic committee.

He said there are good prospects for Iran and Serbia to broaden their cooperation.