Iran, Slovenia Resolute to Expand Trade Ties.

Shafei said during the Friday meeting that supporting past cooperation is a good basis for developing relations in the future, thanking the Slovenian government for its wise and reasonable position toward the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA), particularly in the wake of US’ unilateral withdrawal from the agreement.

Shafei also discussed Iran’s responsible and constructive conduct toward international commitments, and criticized the irresponsible, unconventional, and unlawful conduct of the United States.

He then voiced satisfaction with the increase in the value of trade transactions between the two countries, citing the latest figures that indicated a 23% growth in the 9-month period of last year.

He also expressed Iran’s readiness and efforts to hold the first joint economic commission meeting between the two countries in the near future.

For his part in this meeting, Božič reiterated his country's will to continue to support Iran's nuclear deal also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Describing as good the existing level of trade relations between Iran and Slovenia, he underlined the need for further development of bilateral cooperation.

In a related front, General Manager of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia Sonja Šmuc, in a meeting with Shafei on October 12, said that her country is eager to bolster economic relations with Iran.

In the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations and the ways to enhance economic cooperation.

During the meeting, Šmuc referred to the good relations between the two countries and outlined the Slovenian chamber’s outlook on expanding trade with Iran.

Saying that Slovenia’s economy is mainly based on exports, she expressed readiness to dispatch an economic delegation to Iran in the near future.

Shafei, for his part, highlighted the importance of balancing trade transactions between the two sides.

He touched upon the considerable capacities of both countries, saying trade between Iran and Slovenia could reach €100 million in the near future.

In a related front in late May, Slovenian Ambassador to Tehran Kristina Radej dismissed judgments about the influence of the US sanctions against Iran after Washington's withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, stressing that the European countries are enthusiastic about continued trade relations with Tehran.

"The EU is willing to maintain its trade relations and cooperation with Iran and the Iranian companies," Radej told FNA.

She said that Slovenia has earlier expanded its banking ties with Iran, adding that the two Iranian Bank Mellat and Pasargad Bank enjoy good relations with Slovenian Gorenjska bank.