Malta 'first EU country' to visit Iran after lifting of sanctions

Malta is the first European county to meet Iran after Western sanctions against Tehran were lifted.

The Maltese delegation was led by Transport Minister Joe Mizzi and discussions focused on maritime. Mizzi held talks with his Iranian counterpart and proposals for a bilateral agreement were made.

“Malta was the first country to hold an official visit and strengthen its relations with a country that holds huge potential,” the government said in a statement.

Several meetings were held with operators of sea vessels to encourage use of Malta’s ship registry and the return of mercantile vessels to Malta.

The US, EU and UN sanctions were lifted after the United Nations atomic watchdog announced the country had complied with the terms of last July's landmark deal aimed at scaling down its nuclear programme.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Tehran had put in place all nuclear measures required under the deal reached with six world powers.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said it was a "glorious victory" for the "patient nation of Iran".