Iran, Japan FMs discuss expansion of ties in Tehran

Iranian and Japanese foreign ministers have met in Tehran to exchange views on a number of issues including the expansion of Tehran-Tokyo ties and Iran’s nuclear energy program.

In a Sunday press conference following a meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Fumio Kishida, in Tehran, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif hailed the “longstanding” relations between Iran and Japan, saying that the Islamic Republic “attaches great significance” to these ties.

The 50-minute meeting took place at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport upon Zarif’s arrival in the country following three days of intensive nuclear discussions with the six major world powers — the US, Britain, Russia, China, France and Germany — in Geneva, Switzerland.

The top Iranian diplomat further expressed hope that Kishida’s trip to the Islamic Republic would be a “new beginning for the expansion of bilateral ties between the two countries in different areas.”

Kishida, for his part, underlined his meetings with senior Iranian officials during his stay in Tehran, saying that his Sunday talks with the Iranian foreign minister focused on Tehran-Tokyo relations, Iran’s nuclear issue and other regional developments.

The Japanese minister also stressed the need for better ties between the two countries, expressing hope that Tehran’s nuclear negotiations with the six countries would bear fruit as soon as possible.

Iran and the six countries could not reach an agreement in their three-day nuclear talks in Geneva, but both sides said significant progress had been made and were optimistic about the prospect of achieving a deal.

Tehran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany are set to continue their negotiations on Tehran’s civilian nuclear energy program in Geneva on November 20.