FM Zarif and Macedonian counterpart Nikola Poposki jointly participated in a press conference on Monday in Tehran. Mr. Poposki is visiting Tehran to discuss bilateral matters of interest.
Zarif emphasized that a committee in the government would address the US court verdict to reimburse the families of victims of a 1983 bombing at a Marine compound in Beirut, Lebanon, which killed 241 US service personnel, using Iranian frozen assets in the mainland US; “this is not for the first time that a court in the US gives verdict against Iranian assets, and several other courts have given similar verdicts,” Mr. Zairf said. “The most ludicrous case was implicating Iran during 9/11 terrorist attacks of 2001, which was totally politically loaded.”
“the Islamic Republic of Iran worked cautiously not to allow Iranian assets enter the US; however, this was a mishap that US courts have access to Iranian assets; the court verdict goes back to 7 years ago which was issued before President Rouhani assumed office in 2013,” Zarif told the press. “We have been absent from all court processions; we decided to send representatives to courts, however, the Supreme Court arbitration aborted any further attempts. “
Zarif emphasized that using Iranian assets in manner whatsoever is illegal and we discredit the court verdict. “A committee will address the possible ways to rule out capital flight to US, and also will examine possible ways to intervene in the court verdict,” he added. “The Islamic Republic of Iran officially knows the US sole responsible body for any damage on Iranian interests.”
He then turned to Iran’s relationship with Macedonia; “this is for the first time we host an official from Macedonian Republic, with whom we had established diplomatic relations since their independence; however, sanctions hit our ties for few years,” he told Macedonian counterpart. “In today’s visit, we discussed improvements to be brought to bilateral ties; Macedonian delegation will have a meeting with Iran’s Chamber of Commerce to visit the private sector. “Macedonia is one of the countries in the main route of migration to Europe from Syria, Iraq, and other countries, and thus subject to threats of extremism; economy is a priority for both sides, and our private sector would participate in Macedonian infrastructure projects,” he said.
Mr. Poposki for his part said that the present visit was a token that Macedonia would expand relations with Iran further; “ample opportunities are present for both nations which would benefit both sides; we have plans to commemorate Iran’s cultural days in Macedonia, with further opening of our embassy in Tehran as cultural efforts to bring détente to bilateral ties,” he said.
“Our assessment is that the only authority to address and solve migrant crisis is the European Commission; we need strict border controls which is difficult in Schengen area; we believe European countries should accept legitimate refugees based on a quota system,” he told the press. “Crises in Syria and Iraq do not have military solutions and we support diplomatic efforts to bring stability to Syria and Iraq.”
SH/3607455/3607524
Your Comment