Published: 12:41, June 11, 2023 | Updated: 13:03, June 11, 2023
Iranian, French presidents discuss expansion of bilateral ties
By Xinhua

In this photo taken on Sept 20, 2022, French President Emmanuel Macron holds a bilateral meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on the sidelines of the 77th United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City. (PHOTO / AFP)

TEHRAN - Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Saturday exchanged views on ways to expand bilateral relations.

In a 90-minute phone call from Macron, the two presidents also talked about the latest regional developments and the negotiations on the revival of a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers and removal of the sanctions on Tehran, according to a statement published on the website of the Iranian president's office.

Raisi said certain European governments were deceived by the "misinformation" from anti-Iran "terrorist, separatist and hostile" groups during the recent "riots" in Iran after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini

Commenting on the bilateral ties' development, Raisi said certain European governments were deceived by the "misinformation" from anti-Iran "terrorist, separatist and hostile" groups during the recent "riots" in Iran after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini.

The Iranian president also highlighted the necessity of refraining from interference in Iran's internal affairs and respecting the country's national sovereignty.

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Speaking of the latest situation of the nuclear negotiations, Raisi stressed the cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the IAEA's frequent confirmations of Iran's commitment to its legal obligations, calling on other parties in the talks to refrain from politicizing the issue and making any "unconstructive" move in the talks.

The Iranian president also touched upon the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, reiterating that opposing the war is Iran's "absolute policy" and diplomacy is the best solution to the issue.

The French president, for his part, highlighted interaction with Iran, noting France calls for continued talks between the two countries' officials to improve bilateral exchanges.

Macron also stressed the necessity of continuing the nuclear negotiations until they come to fruition, and said Iran is part of the solution to Ukraine's crisis and should play a more significant role in the issue.