Iranian officials meeting House President Demetris Syllouris, Monday expressed Tehran’s readiness to help in every way within its capabilities, the talks on solving the Cyprus problem, including hosting the talks.
Foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told Syllouris Iran was ready to host a round of talks on its territory if necessary.
In a statement after the completion of contacts on the second day of his official visit, Syllouris said that from his contacts he noted that Tehran considered the Republic of Cyprus as a bridge to Europe and the EU.
Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani hailed the growing relations between Tehran and Nicosia, saying that the two countries’ parliaments enjoy very cordial and extensive relations in all fields.
“Given the geographical position of Cyprus and that the country is the nearest member of the European Union to Iran, relations between Iran and Cyprus have always been cordial,” Larijani said in a joint press conference with Syllouris.
Larijani went on to say that the two sides also exchanged views about the expansion of banking cooperation to facilitate trade relations between Iranian and Cypriot merchants.
“It is very important to us that relations between Iran and Cyprus develop in all cultural, economic, security and scientific areas,” the Iranian parliamentarian said.