Sanctions have harmed some countries’ trade with Iran: Italian ambassador

TEHRAN,July 29(MNA) - The Italian ambassador to Tehran said that the sanctions imposed on Iran have robbed a number of countries of the opportunity to have trade interactions with the Islamic Republic. “The countries that have great potential for exports to Iran have been affected with anti-Iran sanctions and have been robbed of the opportunity to have trade interactions with Iran,” Ambassador Alberto Bradanin stated on Saturday. He added, “The sanctions were supposedly imposed and implemented with the aim of targeting Iran, but the countries that have technologies or goods to export and offer to Iran have also been affected by the sanctions.” Commenting on economic ties between Iran and Italy, he stated that the two countries have great potential to enhance their trade interactions. “Italy is one of the main exporters of industrial machinery and various technologies in the world, and Iran is regarded as the third supplier of Italy’s oil. Besides, Iran’s exports to Italy are not restricted to oil,” Bradanin said. The Italian ambassador went on to say that the value of bilateral trade was about €7 billion in 2011, and added, “€2 billion was Italy’s share of exports to Iran, and €5 billion was Iran’s share of exports to Italy.” The ambassador added, “Over the first six months of the year 2012, the value of trade between the two countries slightly decreased, and the decrease was due to a small decrease in Italy’s exports to Iran, but the value of Iran’s exports to Italy did not decrease.” Elsewhere in his remarks, Bradanin said, “Iran is one of the few countries that have oil and gas resources as well as rich and diverse mines and can better utilize its extensive energy reserves.” He added, “The fact that not a very pleasant international atmosphere prevails against the Islamic Republic of Iran has brought about a situation in which Iran cannot currently make the best use of its energy reserves. And the improvement of relations between Tehran and the West is one way to remove the problems.” “The interests of Iran and the West require that the problems be removed,” Bradanin said.