Envoy: Netherlands Eager to Further Expand Ties with Iran

Dutch Ambassador to Iran Johannes Duma underscored his country’s enthusiasm for the further consolidation of relations and cooperation with Tehran, AVA Diplomatic reports.

Duma made the remarks in a meeting with Chairman of Iran-Europe Parliamentary Friendship Group Kazzem Jalali in Tehran on Wednesday.

Noting that Iran and the Netherlands enjoy longstanding relations which date back to 1626, he said, “We constantly seek expansion of relations with Iran, particularly in parliamentary affairs.”

Jalali, for his part, referred to relations between the Iranian parliament and the European parliament, and said, “The parliamentary groups of Iran and EU were holding regular sessions until some positions adopted by the EU Parliament caused these contacts decrease.”

The lawmaker noted that the Iranian parliament was eager to host all parliamentary delegations from around the world, particularly from Europe and the Netherlands. “We would like to promote our parliamentary relations on the basis of mutual respect,” Jalali said.

Late in January, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in a meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani underscored Iran’s constructive and decisive role in the region, specially in settling the Syrian crisis.

Rutte highlighted Iran’s constructive role in regional issues, and said all political parties in the Netherlands believe that the Islamic Republic can help resolve the Syrian crisis.

Rutte further expressed optimism about the expansion of economic and trade ties between the two countries.

President Rouhani, for his part, emphasized the need for all-out efforts to fulfill the demands of the Syrian people.