The European Union’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, and German and Iraqi foreign ministers have congratulated Abbas Araqchi on his appointment as the minister of foreign affairs of Iran.
Araqchi, a former nuclear negotiator, was appointed the nation’s foreign minister by President Masoud Pezeshkian. On Wednesday, he won a vote of confidence from the parliament as the new Iranian foreign minister.
He secured 247 out of 288 votes from the attending members.
Borrell congratulated Araqchi on his election during a phone call on Thursday.
He expressed hope that political discussions and consultations between Iran and the European Union will continue and expand during the new government.
Araqchi and Borrell also exchanged views on negotiations to lift sanctions against Iran and the latest developments related to the war and crimes committed by the Israeli regime in Gaza.
Earlier in the day, Araqchi announced Iran’s willingness to manage tensions with the United States and restore relations with European countries, provided that they stop their hostility towards the Islamic Republic.
He explained that as a crucial step toward removing sanctions on Iran's economy and normalizing its trade with the international community, the Foreign Ministry will seek to manage tensions with Washington and rebuild ties with European states, but only if they abandon their "hostile approach" while aiming to revive the 2015 nuclear deal and lift the bans.
Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also congratulated Araqchi on his appointment.
Baerbock expressed hope that Germany and the new Iranian government will expand relations by removing the problems and obstacles to relations.
Araqchi also thanked the German counterpart for the phone call and congratulated him, and pointed out the necessity of continuing political consultations between the two countries.
“Mutual respect and focus on common interests are necessary to maintain and strengthen relations in various fields,” he said.
Foreign ministers of Iran and Germany also exchanged views on matters of common concern in the bilateral arena as well as regional and international developments and emphasized the determination of the two countries to resolve current problems through dialogue and the continuation of political consultations.
Meanwhile, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Mohammed Hussein also congratulated Araqchi on his election.
The Iraqi foreign minister expressed hope that the two brotherly countries of Iran and Iraq will continue to closely cooperate and interact on various issues related to bilateral relations as well as important regional and international issues.
He also offered the invitation of Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani, the prime minister of Iraq, to the president of Iran.
Araqchi emphasized the special efforts of the new government of Iran to expand and deepen the relations between the two neighboring Muslim countries and the Iraqi prime minister's invitation to President Pezeshkian.