Austria after decreasing sanctions’ pressure on Iran: Diplomat

Austrian ambassador to Tehran Stefan Scholz announced here on Tuesday that his country is doing its best to reduce the impact of sanctions on Iran, AVA Diplomatic reports.

‘Vienna is pursuing to resolve the sanctions issue at the time the Iranian president has set as an ultimatum,’ Scholz said in a meeting held in this northwestern Iranian city with deputy governor general of East Azarbaijan Province Ali Jahangiri.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, in response to the US May 8 decision to withdraw from the Iran Deal, ordered the Foreign Ministry to consult with the European countries, Russia and China within one to two weeks. ‘If Iran’s national interests are secured, we will remain in the deal’ officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Referring to the rotating presidency of the European Union to be handed over to Austria for July-December 2018, Scholz said several measures have been taken by his country to decrease the sanctions and prepare the grounds for the Austrian companies’ to continue cooperation with Iran.

About his travel to Tabriz, East Azarbaijan, the ambassador said he is here to identify the capacities for cooperation between the two sides.

The envoy expressed hope that scientific cooperation between Vienna and Tehran would lead to widening political relations.

For his part, the provincial official said Tabriz is after extending the agreement between technological site of Rob’e Rashidi with AIT Austrian Institute of Technology.

Jahangiri, meantime, appreciated Austria for its efforts to reduce anti-Iran sanctions.