Tehran, Jan 27 (IANS): The European Union (EU) can play a more active role in the negotiations between Iran and the world powers over itss nuclear issue, Iran oreign minister.

In a meeting with his Portugese counterpart Rui Machete in Tehran Monday, Mohammad-Javad Zarif hailed what he termed as "positive" the European countries' current approach to oppose the imposition of any new sanctions against Tehran and trying out diplomacy, Xinhua news agency reported citing Press TV.

Iran and Portugal have potential for strengthening cooperation in various fields, particularly in the sectors of economy and tourism, Zarif said.

The Portuguese foreign minister stressed Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy and hoped the negotiations between Iran and the P5 1 group - Britain, China, France, Russia, the US plus Germany - would yield results as soon as possible.

Iran plays an important role in the Middle East and can help maintain peace and stability in the region, Machete said.

Iran and the six powers agreed in November 2014 to extend, for the third time, the deadline for another seven months aimed to reach a political agreement within the next five months.

The deputy foreign minister of Iran is going to meet diplomats from Britain, France and Germany in the Turkish city of Istanbul in the coming days to further discuss Iran's nuclear issue.