'Problems in hotbeds' need to be resolved to deal with terrorism in Europe - Iranian president
TALLINN. April 11 (Interfax) - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has discussed the anti-terrorism fight with Estonian Foreign Minister Marina Kaljurand, who is on a visit to Iran.
The president called 'worrisome' the security levels in a number of states bordering Iran. "For the purposes of preventing the spread of terrorism into Europe and other regions, it will be necessary to deal with problems in hotbeds in the first turn," he said.
Kaljurand said that cooperation between Iran and the European Union was necessary for their security and stability, the Estonian Foreign Ministry press service told Interfax on Monday.
She also met with her Iranian counterpart, Javad Zarif, and said that the present-day relations between the European Union and Iran made it possible to cooperate in many areas. "A new era has begun in relations between the European Union and Iran, and it is necessary to foster bilateral cooperation in this context," the Estonian foreign minister said.
Economic relations have markedly increased but the trade turnover between Iran and Estonia could be much larger, Zarif said in response. He described the Estonian minister's visit as "an important step in the right direction."
Zarif expressed a keen interest in Estonia's e-government and e-voting practices. Kaljurand said her country was ready to share its experience with Iranian specialists.
The sides discussed the position of women in Iran, the situation in Syria and Ukraine, and relations with Russia.
The Estonian foreign minister's visit to Iran is the first visit of a senior Estonian official to that country, the Estonian Foreign Ministry said.