Stockholm, June 1, IRNA � Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Wednesday dismissed claims by certain countries about vilation of human rights in Iran, saying that Iran is the only country in the region having free elections.


Zarif made the remarks speaking at a joint press conference in Stockholm with his Swedish counterpart Margot Wallstrom.


He said that during their meeting, he and Wallstrom have discussed the political crises across the Middle East and the role Europe can play for peaceful settlement to these crises.

Referring to the longstanding relations between Iran and Sweden, the foreign minister said that Iran was the first country in the Middle East to establish trade relations with Sweden.

Zarif arrived in the Swedish capital on Tuesday night on the third leg of his European tour.

A 60-member economic delegation are accompanying the foreign minister in his tour of Europe.

By IRNA