Dialogue with Iran excellent : Italy

Rome Nov 30 (IANS/AKI) Italy s Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano on Thursday held "cordial" talks with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif on the sidelines of a Mediterranean summit here and described dialogue between the two countries as "excellent".

Topics covered during Alfano s meeting with Zarif included Syria Lebanon Yemen the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers and bilateral ties between Italy and Iran said a Italian Foreign Ministry statement.

"The level of bilateral dialogue between Iran and Italy is excellent " Alfano said.

Italy and the European Union are determined that the Vienna accord should remain the cornerstone of international nuclear non-proliferation Alfano told Zarif during their meeting the Foreign Ministry said.

"The lifting of European sanctions against Iran has lead to a surge in interest shown by Italian companies in the Iranian market " Alfano said telling Zarif that the Italian government is taking action to support Italian firms interested in Iran.

--IANS/AKI
vd