Envoy: Austria trusted partner of Iran
October 27, 2018 - Austrian Ambassador to Tehran Stefan Schulz on Saturday emphasized that his country is a trusted partner for Iran and will further deepen its collaboration with Tehran.
“With 700 years of documented contacts and 500 years of partnership and 160 years of full diplomatic relations, Austria is a trusted partner for Iran,” Schulz said while addressing a ceremony marking the Austrian National Day, IRNA reported.
“As a small but strategic contribution, we are focusing on building sector partnerships, each with a regional dimension,” he said.
“Our lighthouse project is the regional center for green energy. Next, we are strengthening resilience for heavy urban search rescue in order to enable Iran to become a first responder in the region in the event of natural disasters, and finally we partner on establishing a national committee for the protection of cultural property in crises,” Schulz said.
The Austrian envoy also referred to the measure taken by Chairman of Iran’s Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Committee Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh to reach out to European ambassadors for a singular dialogue channel between the Iranian lawmakers and foreign envoys, saying that these developments are based on understanding and capability required to successfully deploy Iran’s soft power.
“We believe that the important thing for Iran at the moment is to persevere and to continue collaboration and building networks and relationships across the globe,” Schulz added.
On Friday, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani in a message to his Austrian counterpart Alexander Van der Bellen congratulated the country’s National Day, voicing Tehran’s readiness to expand constructive relations with Vienna.
Hailing the “age-old and friendly” relations between the two countries, President Rouhani said Iran welcomes constructive interaction with all countries with mutual respect, particularly with Austria which he hailed as a “reliable partner in Europe that hosts international institutions.”
“I believe that considering the agreements reached during my visit to Vienna and by employing the existing capacities, relations between the two countries will grow, like the past, for the fulfillment of mutual interests and promotion of sustainable international peace and security,” the Iranian president added.
The Austrian National Day is celebrated on October 26 and relates to political developments after World War II in 1945.
Rouhani paid an official visit to Vienna in July and signed several cooperation documents during the trip.