Nahavandian outlines talks in Europe on banking issues

Stockholm, Dec 10, IRNA - Iran's Presidential Chief of Staff Mohammad Nahavandian said he stressed the need for pacing up measures to remove banking obstacles with Switzerland and Sweden during his visits to both countries. described his Swiss visit and the meeting with the president of that country as constructive. In an exclusive interview with IRNA here on Friday evening, Nahavandian said his visits to two European countries of Switzerland and Sweden aimed to accelerate the process of removing the obstacles to the banking relations. The Swiss and Swedish meetings also focused on encouraging foreign investment in Iran in the post-Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) era, Nahavandian said before departing here for Tehran. About his Bern trip that started on December 7, Nahavandian said Switzerland as one of the major centers for the international banking activities can play an effective role in expansion of banking relations between Iran and the European countries. In Switzerland, he said, he held talks with the Swiss bankers where he proposed formation of a special working group to follow up banking ties which was warmly welcomed. About his trip to Sweded that started December 8 at the invitation of the officials of that country, Nahavandian said he held separate talks with finance and trade ministers of that country. As the Iranian official said, the talks concentrated on the banking issues. He stressed that Swedish ministers welcomed Iran's proposal to open a branch of Central Bank of Iran in Sweden. He further noted that the Swedish prime minister is due to visit Iran in next two months, adding that the premier will be accompanied by an economic delegation as officials of Sweden want the visit to be not only a diplomatic trip but also an economic one. 1378/IRNA