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Finland Supports INSTEX to maintain trade with Iran

SHAFAQNA- Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto voiced his country’s support for INSTEX, a financial mechanism that the European Union has developed to maintain trade with Iran and bypass the US sanctions.

Haavisto and his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif met in Helsinki on Monday to discuss various issues, including Iran-Finland bilateral ties and regional and international developments, Tasnim reported.

In the meeting, the Finnish minister said his country supports INSTEX (Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges) –the payment channel that France, Germany and Britain have proposed to continue trade with Tehran and bypass the US embargoes– in spite of the US pressure on European companies.

The two diplomats also talked about the latest developments relating to Iranian supertanker Adrian Darya, formerly known as Grace-1, which has been released by the government of Gibraltar more than a month after it had been captured by the British Royal Navy on suspicion of attempting to breach global sanctions against Syria.

Haavisto and Zarif further discussed the latest status of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), highlighted the necessity to expedite the implementation of INSTEX, and discussed the Persian Gulf security as well as Iran’s initiatives for regional dialogue.

Stressing the need for a “cognitive evolution” in the region, Zarif said Iran, which has the longest coastline among the countries bordering the Persian Gulf, is ready to ensure the security of the region.

Before meeting his Finnish counterpart, the Iranian foreign minister met with President of Finland Sauli Niinisto.

Finnish President office announced that the two sides have discussed the Comprehensive Joint Plan of Action (JCPOA), maritime security in the Persian Gulf and also issues related to human rights, Iran Press told.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif landed in the Finnish capital Helsinki early on Monday at the first leg of his three-nation European tour for high-level talks.

Zarif’s visit comes as the first of his three-nation tour, as he will depart Finland for Norway followed by Sweden.

Speaking to reporters upon arrival, Zarif said the tour is aimed at holding consultations with European officials on ways to ease tensions in the West Asia region.

“Today the situation in our region is special, and broad consultations are needed on this issue,” the top diplomat said.

“Especially ahead of the UN General Assembly in New York, it is necessary to work for such coordination given the current special situation we have,” he added.

The Iranian foreign minister said, “Finland, Sweden, and Norway are all active in our regional issues; Sweden was responsible for the first Yemen summit, and Norway seeks to organize a summit on Afghanistan. So, it is necessary to hold dialogue with these countries on regional issues as well.”

Referring to an initiative for dialogue in the Persian Gulf set forth in the past by Finland, Zarif said it is almost similar to the plan Iran has earlier raised.

“A few years ago, I came here to Helsinki, and proposed an initiative for a regional dialogue forum in the Persian Gulf, and the Finnish have always been interested in these issues.”

Zarif, who visited Kuwait before leaving for his Scandinavian tour, said he will visit a number of Asian countries in the next phase and continue the talks with them.

He stressed the importance of increasing opportunities for dialogue in the region, particularly between the countries of the Persian Gulf, Mehr News Agency told.

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