EU to broaden scope of anti-terrorism co-op with Iran

The EU is going to broaden the scope of its anti-terrorism cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran, said the EU Deputy Foreign Policy Chief Helga Schmid.

Schmid made the remarks in a meeting with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia and the Pacific Ebrahim Rahimpour in Tehran, IRIB news agency reported February 8.

Stressing Iran’s important role in dealing with regional crises, Schmid said the cooperation will increase in the post-JCPOA era.

The JCPOA, official name for Iran’s nuclear deal, which has taken Iran away from harsh Western sanctions has also opened a way for hope of a more politically and diplomatically cooperative Iran.

Schmid also said it is necessary to take measures to improve the situation in Afghanistan, inviting Iran to positively consider discussing the Afghani issue at the upcoming Brussels meeting.

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will attend the meeting which is to be held in one week.

Ebrahim Rahimpour, for his part, said Iran is ready to offer its capabilities to fight the growing threat of terrorism and extremism in the Middle East region.

Iran is surrounded by countries grappling with internal as well as foreign-incited conflicts. The Syrian crisis has been going on for over five years, whereas Iraq has been dealing with the threat of the IS terrorist group (ISIL, ISIS, Daesh) since mid-2014. Situation in Afghanistan is no better with extremist groups waging unrest.

/By Trend/