'Canada keen to restore diplomatic ties with Iran'

The Ottawa government has voiced its readiness to reestablish political relations with Iran by sending signals through diplomatic channels, a senior Iranian diplomat announced.

"The previous Canadian government severed ties with Iran unilaterally and without any logical reason behind it; the then Canadian administration was extremist, anti-Iranian and pro-Zionist, but the new one has voiced interest in reestablishing relations with Iran and we are also seeking to maintain dignified ties with that country," Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hassan Qashqavi said on Saturday.

The Iranian deputy foreign minister, meantime, pointed to efforts made by the Foreign Ministry to pave the way for the Iranian expatriates in Canada to cast their votes in the upcoming 12th presidential election, and said, "We made a lot of efforts to make it possible for the Iranians living in Canada to take part in the election, but unfortunately due to lack of diplomatic ties and some technical issues, we have been unable to do so."

In relevant remarks on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif declared that Canada has refused to let Iran set up polling stations in that country, but Iranian expatriates can travel to the US to cast their votes.

EA