Following a meeting with the Iranian deputy foreign affairs minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi, the president of the S&D Group Gianni Pittella expressed worries and hopes for the great potential of economic relations, the need for deeper political dialogue between Iran and the EU and on the prospects of peace in Syria.
Common challenges such as terrorism, security, the refugee crisis need to be tackled by both actors, whose global role cannot be neglected.
S&D Group president Gianni Pittella said:
"It is time to finally turn the page. Dialogue with Iran must continue for the sake of stability. The nuclear agreement and the political dialogue in progress with Iran must be preserved. The nuclear deal is one of the main successes of the EU's diplomacy and should not be questioned under any circumstance; the election of the new US president included.
"Concerning Syria, there are no alternatives to a permanent cease fire and a peaceful solution, the goals to be reached are the territorial integrity of the country and the right of Syrian people to determine their political future. War has not provided any answers to the complex situation in the region and it is time to unblock the diplomatic dialogue."
President Pittella will visit Iran next year to continue the parliamentary dialogue, which will contribute to the full normalisation of bilateral relations.
