President Hassan Rouhani met President Alain Berset of Switzerland, Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir Bin Mohamad and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte of Italy on Wednesday in New York.

Iran Press/Irannews: According to the official website of Iranian presidency, in a meeting with President Alain Berset of Switzerland on Wednesday in New York, President Hassan Rouhani stressed that, “Countries around the world supporting and protecting the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) are not just supporting Iran, but supporting an agreement endorsed by the UN Security Council and peace and security in the Middle East”.

Rouhani described development of relations and cooperation between Iran and Switzerland in different political, economic and cultural fields as important, adding, “The Iranian nation respects the government and people of Switzerland in a special way”.

“Despite the problems after America's unilateral, unlawful withdrawal from the JCPOA, the Islamic Republic of Iran will continue to adhere to it if the other signatories continue to stay committed to it,” continued Rouhani.

At the meeting, President Alain Berset of Switzerland offered condolences to the Iranian government and people on the terrorist attack in Ahwaz and said, “The Swiss government always supports the JCPOA and will work to protect it”.

He also hailed Iran’s wise response to US’ unlawful withdrawal from the JCPOA and that Iran has completely lived up to its commitments, saying, “JCPOA was not just an agreement between some countries, but also UNSC resolution guarantees it, so we are responsible to safeguard Iran’s rights after US’ withdrawal”.

Iranians living in Malaysia a great asset to develop relations between the two countries

Speaking in another meeting with the Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir Mohamad on Wednesday in New York, President Hassan Rouhani hailed the steps taken to cement relations between the two countries in different fields such as energy, joint ventures, and scientific cooperation.

He said, “We should work to further deepen these relations in other fields, such as trade and economy, communications, railways and ports, agriculture and industry”.

He described Iranians living in Malaysia a great asset to develop relations between the two countries.

“Iran welcomes the presence of Malaysian companies to participate and invest in their projects,” continued Rouhani, adding, “The will and seriousness of high ranking Iranian and Malaysian authorities for the full development of relations and cooperation are among the most valuable assets in the relations between the two countries”.

Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad also referred to the positive and growing ties and cooperation between the two countries in different sectors, emphasising efforts to develop and strengthen relations between them, especially in the field of trade and investment.

The Malaysian Prime Minister described US sanctions against the Iranian nation illegal and added, "We need to pursue strategies for deepening bilateral relations so that sanctions are ineffective by developing more cooperation and interaction".

He said, "We must not allow conflicts in Muslim countries to spread extremism and violence against Muslims," ??he said.

Italy is Iran’s greatest trade partner in Europe

Rouhani also received Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte of Italy on Wednesday in New York, and appreciated Italian government and nation’s condolences over the terrorist attack in Ahwaz, saying, “Killing 24 innocent people, including a four-year-old child in Ahwaz terrorist attack indicates that we must work harder in fighting terrorism”.

“Currently, Italy is Iran’s greatest trade partner in Europe and I am sure that we can further develop economic and trade relations,” continued Rouhani.

He also referred to the broad agreements between the two countries, adding, “full implementation of these agreements will make a great development in our relations”.

On the US’ double standards vis-à-vis Iran, he continued, “Americans make threats on one side, and send messages of dialogue from different ways, ignoring the fact that negotiation in such an atmosphere will be meaningless”.

The Italian Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over the long-standing relations between the two countries, adding, “The strong ties between Iran and Italy, not only in the commercial, but also cultural fields has made bonds between the two peoples stronger”.

Giuseppe Conte said, “Italy is ready to enhance its level of cooperation with Iran, and despite the problems that the United States has created for the JCPOA, we will never allow Tehran-Rome relations to be undermined for any reason”.

He added, "For Italy, JCPOA is the fruit of many years of dialogue and struggle in the international community and a solid foundation for the development of international relations, and the only way ahead of us is to maintain this agreement and we believe that international agreements should be fully respected".

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