British
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has said the ties between the UK and Iran have
entered a new phase as he reopened his country's embassy in Tehran. This
follows an agreement with Iran to curb its nuclear program.
Deutsche Welle, 23 Aug 2015
Britain's Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond (L) and non-resident charge d'affaires Ajay Sharma watch as the Union flag is raised at the British Embassy in Tehran, Iran, August 23, 2015 |
Hammond
arrived in the Iranian capital on Sunday to attend the opening ceremony of the British Embassy and to hold talks with the officials of the Shiite state.
Britain
severed diplomatic ties with Iran following an attack on its embassy in 2011.
His trip to Iran was the first by a British foreign secretary since 2003.
"Four
years on from an attack on the British Embassy, I am today re-opening it,"
Hammond said in a statement. "Today's ceremony marks the end of one phase
in the relationship between our two countries and the start of a new one - one
that I believe offers the promise of better," he added.
Iran simultaneously opened its embassy in London, confirmed the Iranian ISNA news
agency.
"Our
relationship has improved since 2011. President (Hasan) Rouhani's election and
last month's nuclear agreement were important milestones. I believe that we
have the potential to go much further," said Hammond.
Pleased to announce the re-opening of the British Embassy in #Tehran. Important milestone in improved relations. pic.twitter.com/Gfu8PnB3P1
— Philip Hammond (@PHammondMP) 23 augustus 2015
Common
threats
According
to the foreign secretary, terrorism, regional stability and the threat of the Sunni militant group "Islamic State" in Syria and Iraq are among some
of the challenges which Britain and Iran will be trying to overcome together.
The new
British charge d'affaires, Ajay Sharma, was also present at the Sunday's
ceremony, which was attended by representatives of the Iranian foreign
ministry. Hammond was also accompanied by a small delegate of trade
representatives who will discuss the possibility of economic cooperation with
Iran following the nuclear deal.
Under the
terms of the P5+1 deal, sanctions imposed by the European Union, the United
Nations and the United States are to be gradually lifted in exchange for Iran
agreeing on the long-term curbs, which are mean to prevent Tehran from
developing the capacity to produce a nuclear weapon.
The trip marked the first time a British foreign secretary has visited Tehran since 2003 |
Iran back
on the world stage
Iranian
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif welcomed the reopening of the British
Embassy and said it proved his country's regional and global significance.
"The
world has realized Iran's constructive role in the region and globe,"
Zarif was quoted as saying on Sunday. "Of course, we have differences with
some European countries, but that can be negotiated through interaction, open
eyes and a realistic approach," he added.
While the
thaw in relations between Iran and the West has been hailed by most countries
in the world, the US' Arab allies in the region and Israel are skeptical about
it.
Earlier
this month, US Secretary of State John Kerry visited the Middle East to assure
the Arab nations that the Iran deal would not undermine their interests in the region.
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