Iran, Japan urge broader ties

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have called for further expansion of all-out ties between Tehran and Tokyo.

During a meeting on the sidelines of the 68th annual session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday, the pair explored avenues for the advancement of relations between the two countries in diverse areas, particularly in the fields of economy and culture, and exchanged viewpoints on major regional and international developments.
Rouhani stated: “There are many good grounds for the investment of Japanese firms in Iran. We are ready to increase our cooperation and consultation with Tokyo in different fields, including environment protection and the campaign against narcotics.”
The Iranian president also expressed hope for the resolution of the West’s nuclear standoff with Tehran in the shortest possible time.
He reiterated the peaceful nature of Iran’s atomic activities, noting that the Islamic Republic’s nuclear energy program is under full International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) supervision and within the framework of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Abe, for his part, praised Rouhani’s policies on interaction and friendly ties with world countries, expressing hope that nuclear issue would be resolved as soon as possible.