TEHRAN – Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has said Iran plans to deepen ties with neighbors, the Islamic states, and the European Union in the current year.

“In the New Year we aim to deepen Iran’s relations with neighboring countries, the (countries of) the Islamic world, and also the European Union,” Salehi explained.
Iran’s New Year began on March 21.
The minister said the foreign policy plans are drawn up in a way to “secure the interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran and also the interests of the Islamic ummah.”
However, he said, “There are great challenges which should somehow be managed.”
On the pro-democracy movements which have swept the Middle East and North Africa, Salehi said the Foreign Ministry “will draw up plans in accordance with the new conditions in the region.