Cyprus Can Positively Affect Middle East Developments: Velayati
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Head of the Strategic Research Center of Iran's Expediency Council Ali Akbar Velayati highlighted the positive impact that Cyprus can have on the region, saying the European nation is indeed part of the Middle East and has a stake in its future.
Given Cyprus’ proximity to the Middle East, the country is actually part of the region that is influenced and can play a positive role in regional developments, Velayati said at a meeting with President of the Cypriot House of Representatives Demetris Syllouris in Tehran on Tuesday.
Highlighting the geopolitical position of Iran and Cyprus, Velayati added that the two countries can promote bilateral and regional relations and help develop Asian-European cooperation.
For his part, Syllouris hailed Iran as a major and influential country in the region with a strategic standing, expressing the South European nation’s willingness to enhance relations with the Islamic Republic in all fields.
Heading a parliamentary delegation, the Cypriot lawmaker is in Iran at the invitation of Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani.
He has also held meetings with President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
