Nov 25, 2015, 4:34 PM

Rouhani:

Terrorism a 'highly contagious disease'

Terrorism a 'highly contagious disease'

TEHRAN, Nov. 25 (MNA) – Iran’s president Hassan Rouhani told Luxembourg foreign minister a strong will is missing in international fight against terrorism.

Hassan Rouhani received Jean Asselborn who is visiting Tehran on Wednesday to discuss bilateral ties and other issues of interest. President Rouhani described Luxembourg as an active EU member and an important hub for trade and investment which would be complemented by Iran’s unique geopolitical strategic position and ample sources of oil and gas.

On EU role in Iran’s nuclear issue and negotiations with 5+1, Rouhani said that in the times post-JCPOA, new opportunities had been available in Iran-EU relations; “the necessities of the current conditions call for our not only economic relations but also cultural and social relations,” he added. “Taken on face value, terrorism has been a security concern; however, viewed differently, it has purely religious, social, and cultural causes; some countries manipulate terrorism to easily attain their vested interests, or they restrict terrorism to one or few countries. These are two most important pitfalls addressing terrorism,” Rouhani told Luxembourg official.

“Current events clearly demonstrate that terrorism would provide no country with positive advantage, and will not be restricted to a single region, since it proliferates itself in a manner a contagious epidemic does,” he asserted. Rouhani criticized the reality of fighting terrorism as lacking seriousness; “Spread of terrorism rings the bells for us all that attempts to fight extremism had gone on a wrong track; as a victim of terrorism in past decades, Iran has waged laudable attempts to fight terrorism in one sort or another, which otherwise, we would see strong states formed by extremist terrorists in the region,” said the president. “The fact that all countries really perceive terrorism as a real threat and feel a responsibility to fight extremism is important and provides traces of hope to better future, and Iran would cooperate with any country in this path fraught with difficulties.”

Asselborn, for his part, said that Iran and his country enjoyed great opportunity to develop bilateral trade. He positively evaluated Iran’s nuclear negotiation with world powers and emphasized that accurate implementation of JCPOA should remove sanctions, and ensuring that his country works so that JCPOA could implemented as it planned. “Fighting terrorism is a responsibility for all nations and states; ISIL is a real enemy of the international community and all should unite against the head of the devil,” Asselborn demanded.

 

SH/2978440

 

News ID 112311

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