Iran’s new foreign minister has urged dialogue with the European Union to resolve ongoing issues, according to a statement issued after a phone call with the EU’s diplomat chief, Josep Borrell.
Abbas Araghchi said Iran welcomed the development of ties with the European Union in an atmosphere of mutual respect.
The statement comes just over a month after the election of Iran’s new reform-minded president, Masoud Pezeshkian. Pezeshkian said he was open to “constructive dialogue” with European countries although he criticised their perceived retreat from commitments in the nuclear sector.
Relations between Iran and the EU have deteriorated in recent years due to the controversial continuation of Iran’s nuclear programme, Tehran’s support for the Islamist movement Hamas, its assistance to Russia, and human rights violations.
Borrell noted in a tweet that he had discussed the prospects of renewed engagement on all matters of mutual interest with his Iranian counterpart. He stressed that dialogue was vital for quelling regional tensions.
As Iran’s lead negotiator, Araghchi played a key role in securing the 2015 Vienna nuclear agreement, which was torpedoed by the United States three years later.
