Iranian top diplomat meets Italian, Swiss, Australian counterparts in New York

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif discussed major regional and world issues in separate meetings with his counterparts from Italy, Switzerland, and Australia in New York. In a Monday meeting on the sidelines of the 68th Annual Session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Zarif and his Italian counterpart Emma Bonino signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to help improve the situation in war-torn Afghanistan. Under the MoU, Tehran and Rome agreed to fight drug trafficking and cooperate in reconstructing Afghanistan’s devastated infrastructure. During the meeting, Zarif and Bonino further stressed the need for the expansion of Tehran-Rome relations in all areas. The two diplomats also discussed the latest developments in Middle Eastern countries, including Syria and Iraq. In separate meetings on Monday, Zarif also discussed bilateral ties and other regional issues with Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and the Foreign Minister of Switzerland, Didier Burkhalter. Meantime, Zarif discussed the bilateral relations as well as issues of international importance with the foreign ministers of the Netherlands, Croatia, Slovakia, Georgia, Japan, Oman, and Turkey. Zarif is in New York to take part in the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly, which opened on September 17. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani also traveled to New York on Monday to take part in the event. President Rouhani is due to address the UN meeting on September 24.