In a formal statement, Hammond said Iran’s embassy in London will open at the same time, initially at the charge d’affaires level, with the aim of installing ambassadors at both facilities in the coming months.
The British diplomat cited improved relations with Tehran, saying a diplomatic thaw was first noted two years ago with the election of reputed moderate Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
“President Rouhani’s election and last month’s nuclear agreement were important milestones,” Hammond said. “I believe we have the potential to go much further.”
The Foreign Office said a small British trade delegation will accompany Hammond to discuss future trade opportunities made possible by last month’s landmark nuclear agreement.
Britain said four years ago that the attack on its diplomatic compound could not have occurred without the tacit approval of the Iranian leadership in power at that time.
The violence erupted after the Iranian parliament voted to expel the British ambassador in retaliation for Britain-led sanctions against Iran’s banking sector.
Swarms of students penetrated the British facility, tearing down the British flag, torching offices and destroying a painting of 19th century British Queen Victoria.
Following the rampage, Iran’s Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called the mission an “evil embassy.” London responded by cutting diplomatic contacts to their lowest level, while not severing ties completely.
voanews.com
22/8/15
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British embassy in Tehran reopens four years after closure...
ReplyDeleteThe British embassy in Iran has reopened, nearly four years after it was closed.
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond attended a ceremony in Tehran with Iranian diplomats to mark the reopening while Iran has also reopened its embassy in London.
The UK embassy was closed in 2011 after it was stormed by protesters during a demonstration against sanctions.
Mr Hammond is the first UK foreign secretary to visit Iran since 2003.
The reopening comes weeks after Iran reached a deal with six world powers aimed at curbing its nuclear programme.
'Important milestones'
At the ceremony Mr Hammond said the attack in 2011 had been "a low point" but since the election of President Hassan Rouhani things had "steadily improved, step by step"...........http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-34031615
Hammond from Tehran: Iran a Very Important Country in Volatile Region...
ReplyDeleteIranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond held a joint press conference in the Iranian capital, Tehran, stressing the interaction was the only way out of differences.
Zarif said that Tehran and London share views about fighting "extremism, Daesh" and drug trafficking in the region, using the Arabic acronym for ISIL, adding that Iran and Britain could resolve "differences through interaction and reaching a mutual understanding."
The press conference took place hours after the reopening of the UK Embassy in the Islamic Republic. Zarif said the reopening of the embassies could be a restart of Iran-Britain relations, adding, “Today, we entered the phase of mutual relationship based on mutual respect.”
“We are ready to resolve problems through dialogue on issues we have differences, like human rights,” he said, as reported by Press TV.
Answering to a question on the Islamic Republic's relations with its neighbors, the Iranian foreign minister said, “Iran will engage with all its neighbors,” adding “exclusion is not our policy.”
“If we try to gain at the expense of others, all of us will lose,” Zarif said, adding, “We call upon our neighbors to respond positively to this approach.”
For his part, Hammond said he felt "delighted" about the reopening of Iranian and British embassies, saying they serve as "important practical channels" to engage on "many issues we have shared interests."
“Reopening our embassies is a first step toward reestablishing the links between the British people and Iranian people,” Hammond said.
He said that there has been "improvement between the two countries step-by-step" since President Hassan Rouhani was elected in July 2013.
"Iran is and will remain a very important country in a strategically but volatile region," he said. Hammond noted that "our embassies play an important role in maintaining" dialogue between Tehran and London.
The British foreign secretary said he is looking forward to a sustained dialogue and mutually beneficially cooperation between the UK and Iran.
The British top diplomat also referred to his talks with Iran's petroleum minister, Bijan Zangeneh, saying the business delegates accompanying him are "more than willing" to invest in Iran once sanctions against the Islamic Republic are lifted.
He said Iran's petroleum industry has shown "openness" to foreign investment............http://www.almanar.com.lb/english/adetails.php?eid=227480&cid=19&fromval=1
23/8/15