Iran: Tehran’s Policy Is to Improve Ties with EU, Including UK

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Araqchi said Tehran pursues a policy of expanding relations with all European Union (EU) countries, including the UK

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Araqchi said Tehran pursues a policy of expanding relations with all European Union (EU) countries, including the UK, based on mutual interests and respect. Araqchi

Araqchi’s comments came in response to earlier remarks by UK Foreign Secretary William Hague on the British government’s willingness to improve ties with Iran.

Addressing the House of Commons’ Foreign Affairs Committee in the British capital, London, on Wednesday, Hague said Britain was ready to improve its relations with Iran “on a step-by-step basis.”

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman referred to statements by Iranian President-elect Sheikh Hassan Rouhani about the enhancement of ties with other countries and said Iran’s foreign policy is to “enhance all-out relations with all EU member states, including Britain” based on “mutual cooperation and respect.”

“The president-elect has stressed constructive interaction with the world on an equal footing and based on mutual interests and respect as well as the removal of tensions and reciprocal confidence-building,” Araqchi said.

The Iranian official added that the Islamic Republic will reciprocate “positive steps marked by goodwill.”