EU Won’t Be Safe from Consequences of Extremism in Syria, Zarif Warns
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday warned that the repercussions of extremism in Syria will affect the European countries, too.
Speaking Saturday in a meeting with Slovenia’s parliament speaker, Zarif referred to the spread of radicalism in the Middle East and said the EU cannot be safe from the consequences of extremism in Syria.
He noted that many of the radical militants operating in Syria come from EU countries.
Around 2,000 European citizens are currently believed to be fighting in Syria. In January, the Wall Street Journal reported that intelligence agents from several European countries, including the UK, Germany, France and Spain, first traveled to Damascus last summer to speak with Syrian officials on how to work together to tackle the European jihadist threat.
The agents reportedly sought to share information on at least 1,200 European jihadists who traveled to Syria to help topple the government.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Iran’s top diplomat highlighted the potentials for development of relations between Iran and Slovenia, saying that Tehran is keen to expand bilateral ties in all areas.
Zarif also said there is great opportunity for cooperation in various economic areas between Iran and the EU, of which Slovenia is a member.
Slovenian Janko Veber, for his part, referred to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s regional role and stressed that his country is prepared for enhancing relations with Iran.
He stated that the recent nuclear talks between Tehran and the world powers have set the ground for expansion of ties between the two countries.
Iran and the G5+1 (the US, Russia, China, Britain, France as well as Germany) have held several rounds of talks since they signed an interim deal on Tehran’s nuclear issue back in November.
The deal, known as the Geneva Agreement, stipulates that over the course of six months, the parties will draw up a comprehensive nuclear deal which will lead to a lifting of the whole US-led sanctions on Iran.
Representatives of Iran and the Group 5+1 wrapped up the latest round of their nuclear talks in the Austrian capital of Vienna on April 9.
The negotiating parties are slated to convene the next meeting on May 13, again in Vienna, to start drafting the text of an ultimate agreement to end the decade-long standoff on Iran’s nuclear case.
