Tehran, Dublin to Boost Cooperation on Technology, Agriculture

O’Farrel said, “Bilateral relations should improve further and we will support deepening ties with the country in all fields in Irish parliament.”

In the Thursday meeting with Eslami, the Irish top parliamentarian reiterated that his country supports expansion of cooperation with Iran in different fields.

“There are numerous opportunities to be seized in line with promoting commercial relations between the two countries,” he said.

Iran’s envoy, for his part, appreciated Irish parliament’s support, saying that the two countries’ parliamentary ties are growing.

However, great measures can be carried out in line with further development of political, economic, trade and cultural cooperation, he said.

Grounds are ready for investment and economic undertakings in Iran, especially in free zones, he said, voicing Iran’s readiness for cooperation in different fields such as technology and agriculture.

Iran’s ambassador also invited Irish parliament speaker to visit Tehran.

Earlier on December 13, Iranian and Irish heads of the parliamentary friendship groups issued a joint statement, stressing the need to expand bilateral cooperation.

The statement came out at the end of the two-day visit of the Head of Iranian and Irish Parliamentary Friendship Group Mustafa Kavakebian's to Ireland.

We acknowledge the privileged opportunities and capabilities that exist for the development of cooperation between Iran and Ireland. These capacities and opportunities need to be realized in a variety of political, economic, commercial, scientific and cultural fields, the statement reads.

It adds that "the current volume of annual trade exchanges between Iran and Ireland is about €140 million, which is not proportionate to the capacities and capabilities of both sides. Supporting more trade and economic cooperation is prerequisite for strengthening relations between the two countries”.

"We have common views on important international issues, including the elimination of weapons of mass destruction, the promotion of multilateralism, opposition to unilateralism and the fight against terrorism," said Iran and Ireland heads of parliamentary friendship groups in the statement.

"Iran and Ireland attach great importance to the diplomatic and peaceful resolution of regional and international crises," the statement concludes.

Back in March, Iranian Ambassador to Dublin Javad Kachouiyan and Chairman of Ireland's Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade Brendan Smith in a meeting underlined the two countries' enthusiasm for the further broadening of relations and cooperation in all fields, specially economic spheres.

During the meeting, they exchanged views on promoting bilateral relations and mutual cooperation, especially in economic, trade and parliamentary fields.

They also urged boosting cooperation in information technology, renewable energies, medicine, medical equipment, food and agricultural technology, leasing, aviation equipment and services as well as providing banking facilities.

In a relevant development last May, Iranian and Irish officials in a meeting discussed the latest developments in the Middle-East region, stressing the necessity for intensified fight against terrorism.

The meeting was held between Irish Minister of State for Employment and Small Businesses Pat Breen and Kachouiyan.

The Irish minister described Iran as a significant and strategic country in the region which boasts of extensive capacities in different fields, and said he would be able to reopen Irish Embassy in Tehran during his upcoming visit to the capital at the head economic and trade delegation in near future.

During the meeting, major regional and international developments, including issues of the Middle East and East Asia, the need for countering terrorism, Irish internal policies, challenges faced by the country in the Brexit process.

Kachouiyan, for his part, said that the nuclear deal has created astonishing changes in Iran's relations with the world, calling on the Irish companies to play an active role in promoting economic and trade collaboration between the two countries.