On March 10, 2016, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Ukraine, Mr. Mohammad Beheshti Monfared, received the Secretary General of the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development – GUAM, Mr. Altai Efendiev.
During the meeting, which took place in an open and friendly atmosphere, the SG informed the Ambassador about the organization’s activities, the main directions regarding GUAM’s cooperation, and also about the existing formats of international cooperation. He noted that, as a result of the new geopolitical situation developing in the Black Sea-Caspian region, the positive trends of development in the region and with respect to new regional initiatives, mean that new promising prospects of have emerged for cooperation between GUAM and other countries in the region. In particular, new opportunities should emerge in connection with international sanctions against Iran being lifted, and the country’s accession to integration projects within the region. In particular, they mentioned the project of the GUAM transport corridor connecting Europe with the Caspian Sea and further to Central Asia and China. It was emphasised that Europe is interested in entering the Iranian market, and also that opportunities are opening up in connection with new access through the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Persian Gulf and the South-East Asia.
The Ambassador spoke about developments occurring in regards to visits paid by high-level government delegations to European countries, and also from Europe to Iran, including with respect to the opportunities for cooperation that are opening up. The Ambassador also expressed interest in exploring possibilities for cooperation with GUAM countries, noting, in particular, friendly and fruitful relations with Azerbaijan, dynamic dialogue with Georgia, and newly-emerging prospects for relations with Ukraine. In particular, the Ambassador spoke about the recent visits of high-level delegations from Ukraine to Iran, as well as agreements achieved in aims of expanding and deepening bilateral cooperation.
The Parties agreed to continue their dialogue.
