In a meeting with the President of the European Council Donald Tusk on Saturday Evening, President Hassan Rouhani said that sanctions were wrong from the beginning and during the post-sanction era significant changes should be made in the overall relations between Iran and Europe based on common interests.
“The members of the EU suffered the greatest loss in the sanctions era and we should revive and expand relations in the new era in a way that it compensates for the past,” said President Rouhani.
He underlined the immediate and precise implementation of the JCPOA in the course of developing ties adding that, “administrative measures and preparation of the lifting of sanctions requires serious action on the part of all parties, especially the EU.”
Pointing to the positive effects of the agreement on cooperation between Iran and Europe as well as the collaboration of the two sides to solve regional problems, he said that, “we have always had good and traditional relations with the EU particularly with certain members and these relations must get revitalized and strengthened."
“While European countries have sent delegations to Iran, we should make plans to implement economic, business, cultural, scientific and educational programs immediately after the removal of sanctions,” he added.
Rouhani further stated that, “the second phase is the way Iran and EU can cooperate on other areas such as regional issues, and in fact the deal between Iran and 5+1 has generated a hope for these countries to take fruitful steps in important issues with coordination and consultation.”
Rouhani deemed terrorism as a major problem in the region asserting that, “if we fail to overcome this important issue, it might undermine other areas as well.”
Referring to the inhumane crisis in Syria, Rouhani continued that, “it will be easier to find a solution for the fight against terrorism if we all agree that the biggest problem in Syria is terrorist activities and we will have to strengthen the central government there.”
“The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to confront this big issue by consultation and upon reaching an agreement we are ready to cooperate,” said Rouhani.
Donald Tusk, for his part, emphasized the need to expand relations between Iran and the EU asserting that, “lifting of sanctions means choosing cooperation over confrontation and interests rather than tensions.”
He further talked about the nuclear agreement and added that, “the EU exerted its full effort in reaching the deal and this deal is the first step for developing cooperation.”
“The process of quick implementation of the nuclear deal is not simple but hard and with determination of the parties and EU’s contribution, ultimate success will be possible,” said Tusk.
He further stated that, “the EU needs Iran’s cooperation and we cannot solve the problems without you.”
Speaking on Syria, Tusk agreed on finding a joint priority in Syria and announced readiness to discuss issues with Iran in order to reach a mutual understanding.
“The EU is ready to engage with Iran to stabilize the region due to the fact that terrorism is now a global issue rather than a regional issue and we are completely ready to discuss with Iran and that is not a mere slogan” concluded Tusk.
The meeting was also attended by the Iranian negotiating team, as well as the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini.
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