First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic on the first day of his visit to Iran met with Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif. The Head of Serbian Diplomacy congratulated his counterpart on reaching the agreement on Iran's nuclear programme. He expressed his wish for promoting friendly relations between the two countries in all areas. In that regard, the two Ministers expressed an interest in intensifying political dialogue at the high and highest levels, as well as for organizing political consultations at Assistant Ministers’ level. The two sides expressed a shared readiness for bilateral and multilateral comprehensive consultations.

They acknowledged that economic cooperation had the potential for further promotion, leading them to consider the prospects of organizing a business forum that would contribute to the development of bilateral cooperation. In September, a trade delegation from Iran is to pay a visit to Serbia. Both sides expressed their readiness for resolving the only open issue in relations between the two countries, namely the debt of Yugoimport-SDPR.

Minister Dacic thanked Iran for its principled position in not granting recognition to Kosovo and Metohija’s unilaterally declared independence. The Iranian side emphasized that their position in relation to the issue of Kosovo and Metohija resulted from one of the key principles of Iran’s foreign policy, to act in a rational manner on the basis of international law.

Energy security as well as human rights issues were also among the topics discussed. Both Ministers agreed that visa liberalisation for nationals of Serbia and Iran was an aim the two countries should strive to.

In addition, meetings are planned with President of Iran Dr Hassan Rouhani, Speaker of the Consultative Assembly of Iran Ali Larijani. The Serbian delegation will also meet with Ali Akbar Velayati, Political Adviser to the Iranian Islamic Revolution Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and also the Minister of Industry, Mining and Trade Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh.