Gov't determined to keep close relations with clerics/We seek to eliminate cultural concerns by scientific means/Need for cooperation between branches to provide investment security, back private sector

President Rouhani appointed Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance and Minister of Education as "Members of Board of Trustees of Martyrs and Veterans' Foundation".

The Council of Ministers convened on Sunday in a regular weekly session chaired by President Rouhani and approved the regulations on the identification of important oil contracts and how they are concluded.

President Rouhani stressed further development of relations and cooperation between Iran and Norway in all fields, especially in the economic sector, adding: "The Islamic Republic of Iran is willing to further deepen ties and economic cooperation with Norway and the private and public sectors of the two countries should have the opportunity to have joint projects with each other".

President Rouhani described Iran-Greece relations historical, and said: "Tehran and Athens have very good potentials to develop relations in various fields and the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to activate all these potentials".

"We believe that spoiling the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is equal to undermining security and stability of the region and the world, and we hope the European Union prevents incorrect moves that are detrimental to international peace and cooperation," said the president, stressing that Switzerland could play a very constructive role in regional and international issues.

President Rouhani described relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Czech Republic as positive and developing and emphasised: "There are no obstacles to the development of Tehran-Prague inclusive relations".

President Rouhani described deepening and cementing ties with African countries, especially Nigeria as a key principle of Iran's foreign policy and stressed that major Iranian companies were ready to advance developmental projects in Nigeria.

President Rouhani appeared in a live televised speech and described the statements of the president of the United States as nothing but insults and false accusations against the great nation of Iran, saying: “The Iranian nation is not a nation that surrenders to a dictator by false statements and hate speech and the great nation of Iran has never surrendered to any power”.

President Rouhani had a telephone conversation with the French president and referred to the role of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in developing and deepening relations between Tehran and Paris, stating that the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to develop relations with France in all fields of mutual, regional and international interest.

Dr Rouhani said that the Iranian nation has always supported the revolution and the Islamic Republic system in establishing security and achieving national interests, adding: "The enemies of the Iranian nation must understand that this nation will never forget their lofty goals in the path to advancement and perfection".

The president welcomed development of relations with African countries as a key principle in foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran and emphasised that Tehran welcomes development and deepening of its relations with all African countries, including Tanzania as a friend country.

Referring to Iran's readiness to provide more technical and engineering services and encourage the private sector, including in the field of roads, housing, dams and power plants in Armenia, President Rouhani stated: "The Iranian government is determined to develop cooperation and friendly relations with neighbouring countries, including Armenia, and there are no restrictions on this".

Supreme Council of Cyberspace assembled in a session that was chaired by President Rouhani.

President Rouhani described university as the linking point of the society with the high culture of humanity, saying: "Universities are and seminaries must always be on the way to independence, progress and merit, ruling out tyranny, colonialism and monopoly".

President sent a message to the 3rd International Conference of Shams and Molānā and wrote: "The Islamic Republic of Iran will spare no assistance and cooperation in spreading Persian language through academies, universities and scientific centres".