Iran would like Spain to lobby for a quick removal of EU sanctions, according to Lukasz Kulesa, a research director from the European Leadership Network in London on Tuesday.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif landed in Madrid, the Spanish capital early on Tuesday for a day long visit.
"Iran wants to encourage Spanish companies to invest in the country, and the Spanish government would like to make sure Iranians treat Spanish companies favorably," Kulesa said.
He added, however, the basic precondition for Iranian-Spanish economic cooperation is still the conclusion of the final nuclear agreement. He said no major Spanish company will want to invest in the country which is still under UN, EU and U.S. sanctions.
Spain used to be a major recipient of Iranian oil; however the cooperation stopped due to EU sanctions against Iran.
In 2014, Spain imported 1.25 million barrels of oil per day; none of it from Iran.
According to experts, after the framework agreement on Iranian nuclear program was agreed in Lausanne, there is now a prospect of Iran again selling oil and gas to customers in the EU.
"The total trade between Spain and Iran is only around $560 million. Spain’s energy partners are Algeria, Nigeria, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Mexico," said Naser al-Tamimi, a U.K.-based Middle East analyst.
"The talks will focus on the participation of Spanish companies in the development of Iran's energy sector and construction projects. For Iran, they will attempt to gain a share of Spain's oil imports," Tamimi noted.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani confirmed on April 3, that a compromise on a framework accord over Iran’s controversial nuclear program was achieved with the world powers group, the P5+1, after a marathon session of talks in Lausanne, Switzerland ahead of the July 1 agreement deadline.
By Murat Temizer
Anadolu Agency
murat.temizer@aa.com.tr
