Tokyo Mulls Fostering Ties With Tehran: Japanese Envoy

Tabriz, E. Azarbaijan, July 7, IRNA – Japanese Ambassador to Tehran, Koji Haneda said here Sunday the Japanese officials are interested in fostering ties with Iran. Haneda made the remarks on the sideline of the 4th International Forum on Investment Opportunities of East Azarbaijan province currently underway in Tabriz. As a result of anti-Iran sanctions imposed by US and Western countries, the volume of Tehran-Tokyo trade transactions has declined, he regretted. On Iran-Japan close economic and industrial relations, Haneda stressed that the trend of mutual trade and importing oil from Iran is continuing amid Westˈs sanctions on the country. Pointing to June 14 presidential elections in Iran, he expressed hope that the two nations would witness boost in bilateral economic and trade ties in near future. The 4th International Forum on Investment Opportunities of East Azarbaijan opened in Tabriz Saturday morning. Some 400 domestic and foreign investors from 35 countries are participating in the two-day event. Exchange of technical and commercial experiences by foreign investors, merchants and business people participating in the conference and promotion of investment are main objectives of the event./end