On 21 June, Minister-president Bourgeois received Dr. Sorena Sattari, Iranian Vice President, also responsible for Science and Technology. They emphasized that the recently initiated cooperation between Iran and Flanders should continue to receive all growth opportunities.
Trade between Flanders and Iran has experienced great growth over the past five years. The American economic sanctions and the withdrawal of the US from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or the Iran Deal of 2015, however, can have a negative impact on this growth. Minister-president Bourgeois emphasized that the Government of Flanders fully supports the decisions of the European Commission not to give up the Iran Deal and to protect European companies against US economic sanctions.
Since the nuclear deal in 2015 and at the request of Iran, Flanders and Iran are also working together in other areas, like care and public health. Minister-president Bourgeois and Vice President Sattari will examine whether the cooperation can be expanded.