Tehran welcomes foreign investors: President Rouhani

President Rouhani has said that Tehran embraces foreign investors and entrepreneurs.

“Under the new circumstances and following the Vienna agreement, Tehran welcomes the presence of foreign investors and entrepreneurs and Spanish companies can enter the Iranian market as well,” said Rouhani in a meeting with Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo in Tehran on Monday.

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There exists great economic, industrial, scientific and cultural potential in Iran, said President Rouhani, expressing hope Tehran-Madrid cooperation will further expand.

Iran also enjoys numerous potentialities in the areas of energy, oil and natural gas, downstream industries, infrastructure, and academic matters as well as cooperation between research and tourist centers, said the president, who noted that the presence of Spanish investors and entrepreneurs in Iran can give fresh impetus to cooperation between the private sectors of both sides.

President Rouhani also said he would like to see a direct air route established between Tehran and Madrid.

The president hit out at the development of nukes, saying, “Nuclear weapons have never ensured security for countries.”

He said Iran stands ready to work closely with Spain at regional and international levels, including in the war on terrorism.

“Today, the Middle East region is grappling with the scourge of extremism, violence and terrorism, but this scourge will never stay limited to a single region or a single territory,” said President Rouhani.

He urged all countries to join a global campaign against terror.

The visiting Spanish foreign minister, for his part, expressed hope sanctions imposed on Iran will be lifted as soon as possible.

He said the two countries have common ground when it comes to dealing with terrorism, stressing the need for political and peaceful solutions to regional crises, including the conflict in Syria.

Spanish firms are eager to set up offices in Iran, the foreign minister said.

He said Spain can serve as a conduit for the transfer of Iran’s natural gas to Europe, and expressed hope establishment of a joint Iran-Spain cooperation commission will see the full existing potential for mutual cooperation realized.

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