Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Lapo Pistelli began a mission to Teheran that will conclude on 4 December. Pistelli is scheduled to meet with the highest Iranian authorities to discuss the principal bilateral and regional dossiers, particularly Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.
The mission is taking place at a stage of resumed political dialogue between Italy and Iran. Pistelli himself was the first Western politician to travel to Teheran following the installation of the new administration in August 2003. The Deputy Minister is going to Iran now with the objective of contributing to reactivating an adequate level of regular consultations, as envisaged in the 2001 bilateral memorandum on consultations between foreign ministers, and of confirming that Italy is willing to strengthen the relaunch partnership as soon as conditions permit. Indeed, Italy’s hope is that the signs of openness coming from Teheran can be strengthened and can contribute to a constructive international level dialogue, paving the way to Iran’s complete reintegration into the international community.
