‘Iran expects EU rational approach’

27 June 2012 | 16:47 Code : 1903365 Latest Headlines

ranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi says the European Union should adopt a more rational approach in its relation with Iran.


“We are used to sanctions and it (imposing sanctions) is not a new measure and we hope that the European Union would take the issue into consideration and behave more rationally,” Salehi told reporters in Cyprus on Tuesday.

Referring to Cyprus’ six-month presidency of the European Union beginning on July 1, Salehi expressed hope that, given the good relations between Tehran and Nicosia, the Islamic Republic and the EU enhance their cooperation over the period.

Salehi said that Iran was ready to cooperate with the EU to remove existing misunderstandings and called for cooperation between Tehran and the European bloc on regional issues, including peace and security in the Middle East.

Heading a politico-economic delegation, Salehi travelled to Cyprus on Tuesday to hold talks with Cypriot officials on bilateral ties as well as the recent regional and international developments.

The Iranian foreign minister extended Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s invitation to Cypriot President Demetris Christofias to take part in the next Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit in Tehran.