Iran FM says ‘high-level’ talks with EU to be launched soonJuly 28, 2015 - 22:08 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran's Foreign Minister said Tuesday, July 28, that "high-level" talks will soon be launched with the European Union following a nuclear agreement reached with world powers earlier this month, the Associated Press reports. Mohammad Javad Zarif said the talks "in the near future" would focus on energy, the environment and human rights, as well as "extremism, terrorism and sectarianism" in the Middle East. He spoke after meeting with EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini in Tehran. Zarif said the talks would begin at the deputy minister level and later be upgraded to foreign ministers. "Various issues are matters of interest for both sides, such as energy, transportation, trade, environment, human rights and drug (trafficking)," he said, according to the AP. He called on the United States to implement the nuclear deal in order to "remove the mistrust of the Iranian people," and said Tehran would follow through on its commitments. The landmark agreement calls for Iran to curb its nuclear activities in exchange for relief from international sanctions. President Hassan Rouhani met with Mogherini as well, and also suggested Iran and the EU pursue closer relations. "Scientific, cultural and political relations with the EU should be developed," Rouhani was quoted as saying by the official IRNA news agency. "However, promoting economic and trade relations is more accessible and easier." Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |