Iran, EU to benefit from economic cooperation

Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani in a meeting with Chairman of the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs Elmar Brok in Tehran on Saturday called for further cooperation between Iran and the European countries.

"Iran-Europe economic cooperation serves the interests of both sides and consultations and talks between the Iranian and European parliamentarians can facilitate trade and economic exchanges… ," Larijani said.

He, meantime, pointed to the ongoing nuclear talks between Iran and the six world powers, and said, "We can strike a final agreement by adopting a logical outlook, avoiding excessive demands and new issues when drafting the text."

Brok, for his part, underlined the willingness of the European countries and businessmen to broaden their cooperation with Iran, and said, "Given the economic power and vast capacities of the Islamic Republic of Iran, there are many suitable grounds for strengthening mutual trade cooperation and European countries need trade with Iran in a bid to increase their trade corridors."

He also pointed to Iran-G5+1 nuclear talks, and said, "I hope that the two sides strike a final deal before the (July 1) deadline in order to see a boost in the level of friendly relations through the removal of the sanctions (imposed against Iran)."

A European Parliament delegation is in Iran on an official two-day visit to hold talks with the country’s authorities.

The eight-strong delegation, headed by Chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, arrived in Tehran early Saturday.

In March, the European Commission's statistical office, Eurostat, reported that Iran's exports to the EU member states grew by 48% in 2014 compared to a year earlier.

Iran's exports to the EU member states rose from about €780 million ($842 million) in 2013, to over €1.16 billion ($1.25 billion) in 2014, showing a 48 percent growth.

Meanwhile, Iranian imports from the EU countries in 2014 rose only by 18% compared to 2013, and reached over €6.40 billion ($6.91 billion).

Iran and the EU states recorded over €7.56 billion (US$8.16 billion) in trade turnover in 2014, showing an increase by 21% compared to 2013.

The report also cited Germany, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Lithuania, Sweden, Austria and England as Iran’s major trade partners in 2014, in descending order.

Germany, Italy, France and Belgium were the biggest exporters respectively, while Italy, Germany, Spain, Belgium and Netherlands were the main importers of Iranian goods and services.