TEHRAN – Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior foreign policy advisor to the Leader, has said that Iran and the European Union (EU) have the potential to cooperate and resolve regional crises.

Velayati made the remarks in a meeting with Swiss Secretary of Foreign Affairs Yves Rossier on Wednesday.

Welcoming the Swiss delegation to Tehran, Velayati said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran, as an influential country in the region and across the world, has great potential to be used by some European countries, including Switzerland, that are willing to resolve regional issues through diplomacy and peace.” 

Velayati, who is also head of Center for Strategic Research, argued that the founders and supporters of takfiri terrorist groups intend to “target some legal governments in the region” in order to accomplish their “evil goals”.

He further said that the threats of these groups would not end in the region. “Every now and then, the terrorists target Europe and other parts of the world.”

Velayati also welcomed expansion of cooperation between Tehran and Bern and called on all countries across the world to be determined in the fight against terrorism.

Rossier, for his turn, underlined his country’s willingness to develop cooperation with the Islamic Republic, saying that Iran plays an important role in resolving regional crises.

MH/PA