Iran, Japan discuss bilateral ties
Iran’s deputy foreign minister for Asia and Oceania has met with officials from Japanese foreign and economy ministries to hold talks on regional developments as well as Tehran’s nuclear energy program.
Abbas Araqchi, who has been on an official visit to Japan since June 25 to participate in the 22nd Political, Consultative Committee Summit of Iranian and Japanese foreign ministry deputies in Tokyo, has held talks with Japanese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kenichiro Sasae as well as Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hideichi Okada to discuss the bilateral ties, recent Middle East developments and the Islamic Republic’s nuclear energy program.
The Iranian official also met and discussed mutual relations as well as regional and international developments with Chairman of the Iran-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Group Masahiko Komura and the group members.
Moreover, Araqchi participated in a meeting of the prominent Japanese research center, Sasakawa Peace Foundation, addressing its scholars, including a number of Japanese officials, on the latest developments relating to Iran’s nuclear energy negotiations with the P5+1 group.
Iran and the P5+1 group -- Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States plus Germany -- wrapped up two days of talks in Moscow on June 19.
At the heart of the Moscow negotiations was Iran’s nuclear energy program, with Tehran standing firm on its inalienable right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.
The two sides have agreed to continue the talks at expert level meetings in Istanbul on July 3.
During his visit, the Iranian foreign ministry official also met and discussed issues of mutual interest with chairperson and members of Japan’s International Council for friendly engagements, and participated in a number of press interviews with Japanese media.