EU foreign affairs chief to visit Iran, Saudi Arabia

European Union foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini will visit Iran and Saudi Arabia next week, following the P5+1 agreement with Tehran on its contested nuclear program, a statement said Thursday.

Mogherini, who played a key role in the long-running nuclear talks with Tehran, will discuss bilateral ties, international issues and the follow-up to implementation of the accord, it said.

In Iran, Mogherini’s visit Tuesday “will provide an opportunity for exchanges on the implementation of the agreement, on which the High Representative will continue to play a coordinating role, and on regional and bilateral issues,” the statement read.

The talks in Saudi Arabia a day earlier will cover “regional issues, in the aftermath of the agreement reached on 14 July on the Iranian nuclear issue, as well as international issues of common interest,” according to the statement.

The visit comes as European officials show a growing willingness to welcome Iran into the international community following the nuclear accord.

France’s Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Tuesday he would visit Iran “next week,” and expected to hold talks with President Hassan Rouhani.

Although Fabius did not provide more precise details, his aides told AFP that the trip would likely take place next Wednesday.

“I will be there next week,” Fabius told French radio.

“My colleague (Mohammad Javad Zarif) invited me. I was invited before but didn’t go, but now I think everything is in place for me to go,” he said, adding that talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani “were expected.”

“I find it completely normal that after this historic deal was signed, France and Iran should restart normal relations,” Fabius stressed.

Fabius and Mogherini’s trip will be hot on the heels of a similar visit from German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel, who was the first top Western official to visit the country since world powers and Tehran struck a nuclear deal after years of negotiations.

In March 2014, Mogherini’s predecessor Catherine Ashton visited Tehran amid talks over the nuclear program.

The landmark agreement aims to roll back Tehran’s nuclear program in return for lifting sanctions that have stunted Iran’s economy.

On Monday, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution endorsing the deal, clearing a path to lift sanctions crippling its economy.

In addition to opening up trade, the agreement has been touted as a chance for greater contact between Iran and the leading nations over common interests, particularly on tackling the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.