DUSHANBE, April 29, 2015, Asia-Plus – The European Union”s foreign affairs chief has expressed hope Iran can play a constructive role in a renewed United Nations push to restart negotiations to end Syria”s four-year civil war, according to international media outlets.
Iran can play a major role in persuading Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to cooperate in peace talks, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, was quoted as saying by AFP.
Mogherini reportedly spoke to reporters in New York on April 28 ahead of a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif focused on finalizing the nuclear deal reached this month and regional crises.
A final nuclear deal with Iran “could open the way to a different role for Iran in the region,” EU foreign policy chief told reporters at UN headquarters.
The five permanent UN Security Council members, plus Germany, have set a June 30 deadline for a deal with Iran.
Arguing that it would be “naïve” to ignore the Islamic republic, Mogherini said the best approach would be to “call on Iran to play a major, a major, but positive role in the region.”
On Syria in particular, Iran can “encourage the regime to participate in a Syrian-led transition,” Mogherini said.
