Iran Calls for Finalization of Monetary Deal with Qatar

Iran’s First Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber called for more efforts towards finalizing a key monetary agreement Tehran and Doha have negotiated to facilitate their trade and banking relations. Mokhber made the remarks during a meeting with Qatari Minister of Labor Ali bin Smeih Al-Marri in Tehran on Monday.

The comments come after Governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) Mohammadreza Farzin paid a visit to Qatar in January to discuss the terms of a monetary pact with Doha.

During Mokhber's meeting with Al-Marri, the Iranian vice president hailed the robust political relations between Iran and Qatar at international forums, and called for more “serious planning and concerted efforts” to elevate the economic ties as well.

“The potential for cooperation between our two countries is immense,” he said. “However, the level of economic exchange in previous years has not been commensurate with the excellent political ties we enjoy.”

In response, Al-Marri expressed gratitude for Iran’s support for Qatar on the international stage. “Qatar will never forget Iran's positions during times of difficulties and crises,” he noted. The Qatari minister further said that the current volume of bilateral trade does not match the expectations set by the political leaders of Iran and Qatar.

Iran has called for enhancing talks and cooperation among the 8 Persian Gulf countries in order to put in place a collective mechanism for the purpose of preserving their joint interests and security. - Fars