Addressing a gathering at International Diplomatic Academy (Académie Diplomatique Internationale) of Paris on Wednesday, Zarif described President Rouhani’s visit to Paris a turning point in Iran-France bilateral relations which will offer lots of benefits to both countries.
He stressed that the issue of banking transactions is not bound to the regulations, but to the US measures towards banks during the time of illegal sanctions on the Islamic Republic.
Iranian foreign minister underlined that the sanctions are lifted only “on paper” and European countries must exert much effort to fix the current situation, especially in the field of banking transactions.
Regarding regional status, he pointed to the situation in Yemen, Bahrain, Syria and Iraq, noting “Bahrain is one of our concerns in the region; a minority group is being suppressed by the majority group; our understanding is that opposition groups in Bahrain are not looking to overthrow the government; closing all the political means and imprisonment and deprivation of citizenship of a leader is not the solution.”
Foreign minister also underscored the need to resolve the crisis in Syria through political means and asserted “if Bashar al-Assad is the only topic to focus on regarding the Syrian crisis, no political solution can be achieved.”
Responding a question on “Why the Islamic Republic of Iran is seeking convergence with the international community”, Zarif pointed to the time of Imposed War when Western and Eastern countries supported Saddam Hussein against Iran which was alone and learned to rely on its own during the war, saying "Iran seeks Resistance Economy, a move which won’t collapse through foreign pressure; this is not an isolated economy, but one with inward reliance and having an outward look- for export."
Iran’s Zarif noted that Iran is not willing to be a market for foreign goods, but to attract capital and technology from other countries to turn into an exporting country.
In another meeting with French President François Hollande on Wednesday, Zarif held talks on all aspects of political, economic, cultural, university and banking relations between the two countries.
Pointing to his meetings with French officials, Zarif described them useful adding that grounds are provided for cooperation between the two countries.
In addition, he stressed the need for increased consultation between the two countries to improve security in the region.
Hollande, for his part emphasized on the expansion of relations in all fields. He welcomed the increase in the number of flights between the two countries.
He also put emphasis on the political consultations between the two countries.
LR/3694760
Your Comment