Date : 16/07/2013
LONDON, July 16 (KUNA) -- The British government, ending a complete travel
ban, Tuesday urged citizens who want to travel to Iran to do so only in case
of extreme urgency.
Foreign secretary William Hague, speaking before the House of Commons
foreign relations committee, said easing the travel advisory has been adopted
following the change of the Iranian regime's hostile speech against Britain.
But he added that time was not yet suitable to reopen the British Embassy
in Tehran, which was closed after it was stormed by demonstrators in 2011.
Hague said Britain was ready to take positive steps aimed at improving
relations with Iran in the wake of elections of Hassan Rouhani as president of
the Islamic Republic, succeeding Mahmoud Ahmadinehad "who was representing
more extremist" approach.
Britain, added Hague, would be keeping a close eye on Iran's intentions to
take similar positive signs.
He said the political initiative by Rouhani's government vis-a-vis the
nuclear program would be the most important steps that would determine
progress in relations.
Hague said he did not object in principle the exchange of ambassadors and
opening of official communication channels in future, but Britain must be
certain of the safety of its diplomats before thinking of reopening the
embassy in Tehran. (end)
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