President Rouhani met and conferred with Prime Minister of Britain Theresa May early on Wednesday morning Tehran local time on the sidelines of the 71st UN General Assembly Session in New York.
The Iranian President emphasized that Iran has remained committed to all obligations as regards the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action though the dedication will last as long as the other side also meets all obligations.
He outlined Iran’s access to positive economic atmosphere as a provision involved in JCPOA; “as long as technical problems in banking and insurance areas persist, obligations remain unfulfilled and European states, Britain in particular, need to reassure major banks about launching cooperation with Iran.”
The official voiced satisfaction towards improved relations and expansion of ties between Tehran and London in recent years adding “the historical negative mentality between the two countries can be overcome with mutual respect and concentration on collaboration in framework of common interests.”
“Cooperation between Iran and Britain yielded results during nuclear negotiations and grounds are now ready for expansion of economic, political and cultural ties.”
Later in his remarks, Hassan Rouhani touched upon ongoing issues in the sensitive region of the Middle East stressing that “our region is entangled with complicated issues which can only be resolved through political means.”
He voiced Iran’s readiness to collaborate with the European Union, Britain and regional states in order to provide stability and security specially in Syria, Iraq and Yemen.
The British PM Theresa May, for her part, expressed contentment towards reinvigoration of Tehran-London relations in political and economic arenas over recent years; “Britain would back development of ties between the two sides in all fields.”
May underscored that London will continue its support for the JCPOA as a significant measure; “both sides need to remain committed to agreed principles.”
She further noted that necessary steps are being taken to resolve banking and insurance difficulties as well as to provide Iran with economic opportunities concluding “Britain will deploy a banking delegation to Tehran to conduct negotiations with the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) over technical cooperation.”
HA/3774615