Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for political affairs emphasized the need for continuation of parliamentary consultations between Iran and Bulgaria to boost political and economic cooperation.

Iran Press/Europe: Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for political affairs, Abbas Araqchi who is currently in Sofia on the third leg of his European tour met with Vice President of the National Assembly of Bulgaria Emil Hristov and members of the two countries’ parliamentary friendship group.

Araqchi also conveyed Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani’s warm greetings to his Bulgarian counterpart and called for promoting parliamentary relations between the two countries.

Deputy foreign minister arrived in Vienna on Monday to take part in the fourth round of political negotiations between Iran and Austria.

Currently visiting Bulgaria, Araqchi also visited Slovakia on the second leg of his European tour.

Reiterating Bulgarian parliament’s full backing to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and continuation of parliamentary relations between the two countries, he said that the bilateral economic capacities should be used optimally in the line of boosting bilateral relations.

During the meeting, a number of Bulgarian MPs recalled common culture and civilization of the two countries and voiced their readiness for enhancing ties in all fields.

They also described Iran as the anchorage of the region’s security and stability.

Earlier on January 28, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi talked with Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl about the latest developments concerning the EU’s promised trade mechanism with Iran.

During the meeting in Vienna on Monday, the two sides conferred on topics of mutual interest, as well as the latest developments concerning the EU’s promised trade mechanism with Iran, and the efforts of the European countries to save the Iran nuclear deal in the wake of the US’ unilateral withdrawal from the agreement and the re-imposition of sanctions against Tehran.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for political affairs left for Austria, Slovakia, and Bulgaria on January 28, for political consultations with the authorities of the three European countries.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi and the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukiya Amano, during a meeting in Vienna on Monday, discussed cooperation between Tehran and the Agency within the framework of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

After meeting with the UN nuclear watchdog’s chief, Iran's deputy foreign minister reiterated Iran’s stance that it will remain committed to the 2015 multilateral nuclear agreement if the deal serves Iran's interests.

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Iran’s interests in JCPOA seriously hurt: Araghchi

US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA on May 8, 2018, flagrantly violating Washington's commitments under the international agreement while announcing re-imposition of illegitimate sanctions against Iran.

The US withdrawal was met with worldwide criticism, particularly by other signatories to the international agreement. Britain, France, Russia, China, Germany, and the European Union have stressed their compliance with the deal and their support for its proper implementation.

Accordingly, Iran and Europe have begun talks to maintain the deal in recent weeks with Europe pledging to ensure Iran's benefits for the country to be able to remain a party to the deal and to counter the US-led pressure campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran. 203/103

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