TEHRAN -- Iran’s ambassador to China says the establishment of a bloc of countries of the old Silk Road would help boost trade among these states.

The expansion of trade ties among Silk Road countries could lead to the formation of a bloc, which in turn would further boost commerce between these Asian countries, Ambassador Mehdi Safari told the IRNA news agency in Beijing on Saturday.
He said that Iran and China could play a significant role in boosting ties between countries located along the Silk Road.
Iran and China had been in contact with each other through the Silk Road for thousands of years, and now this important trade route has drawn attention to itself one again, he added.
Safari, who was appointed to his new post in March, said that removing the obstacles that hinder cooperation between Iran and China is his priority as Tehran’s ambassador to China.
The fact that Iran and China have good political relations has provided a solid foundation for the expansion of economic and scientific cooperation between the two countries, he added.
Commenting on China’s stance toward Iran’s nuclear program, Safari stated that Tehran’s expectations have not been fully met.
However, he said that the Islamic Republic has always tried to clear up ambiguities about its nuclear activities, and added that Beijing is not seeking to exert political pressure on Tehran.
The ambassador stated that the Western powers’ sanctions against Iran are ineffective and noted that Tehran has many trade partners which are opposed to sanctions and will fill the gap.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Safari said that measures are being taken to boost trade between Iran and China.
HJ/HG END MN