Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian held talks with the Vatican’s Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Gallagher on Tuesday.
During the talks, the two sides exchanged views on issues of mutual interest and concerns regarding international and regional developments.
The officials of the two countries reviewed the bilateral relations and agreed on preparing a mechanism to promote joint cooperation. They also emphasized the importance of interfaith dialogue.
The foreign minister of Iran and the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States also exchanged views on the ways to strengthen global and regional peace and stability, emphasizing the need for political solutions to crises.
The top Iranian diplomat elaborated on the latest developments in the negotiations on lifting the sanctions and emphasized that Iran is serious about reaching a good and lasting agreement.
He added that Iran has presented important initiatives and shown flexibility during the talks, but it is necessary for the American side to realistically prepare the conditions to finalize the agreement.
The officials of Iran and the Vatican also exchanged views on regional issues and stressed the necessity of establishing stable peace and security, especially in the West Asian region.
The Iranian foreign minister emphasized that the Islamic Republic has played an important role in protecting the Izadi Christians of Iraq and the Christians of Syria against Daesh criminal terrorists, with the endeavors by late Iranian commander Lt. General Qassem Soleimani, and in line with its global responsibility in dealing with terrorism.
Amirabdollahian also noted that as much as Iran opposes the war in Ukraine and supports a political solution to end it, it also opposes the war in the other parts of the world.
The Iranian foreign minister also emphasized that Iran is especially concerned about any worsening of the situation in northern Syria and has made significant efforts to prevent a new crisis there.
In the meeting, the officials of Iran and the Vatican declared their common views regarding the illegality of the political use of extraterritorial sanctions as a tool.
Meanwhile, Amirabdollahian outlined Iran’s approach in favor of political solutions to the crises in Yemen, Ukraine, and Afghanistan.
The Iranian foreign minister also explained Iran’s democratic plan to hold a referendum among genuine Palestinians, including Muslims, Christians and Jews.
The situation in Lebanon was also discussed by Amirabdollahian and Vatican’s Secretary of State.