"If the interests of Iranian nation are not met by the other partners to the JCPOA, there is always the possibility of returning to the previous point [before the agreement]," said President Rouhani on Friday in a meeting with the President of Russia Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the 19th Summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
A year after the US pulled out from the JCPOA, Iran revealed countermeasures to US’ withdrawal, giving the other remaining parties to the JCPOA 60 days to comply with their commitments, particularly those regarding Iran’s economic interests in the banking and energy sectors, before reducing portions of its own commitments to the agreement stage by stage.
Iran has stressed that it has no intention to leave the JCPOA, and its decision on reducing commitments is still within its rights under the agreement. Russia, as one of the sides to the JCPOA, has also noted that Iran has a right to suspend some part of its commitments.
President Rouhani said that Tehran and Moscow are on the same side in regional and international communities.
“Implementation of economic agreements between the two countries, particularly in the fields of energy and transportation, has got a good pace and the meeting of the joint commission for cooperation that is going to be held in Tehran next week will accelerate this process,” he said.
Pointing out that supporting the cooperation of the two countries’ private sectors will accelerate the process of developing trade relations, the president said, "By adopting the law on trade with Eurasia in the parliament, we will provide the preparations as soon as possible, which will accelerate business cooperation.”
Rouhani described Russia's role in safeguarding the JCPOA and fulfilment of Europe’s commitments very important, and stated, “Iran has always supported the stability and security of the region and has proved its determination by fighting ISIS in the region as well as proposing a regional non-conflict agreement”.
"In the case of Syria, we are also keen on continuing our good, effective bilateral cooperation on countering terrorism within the framework of the Astana Process with Turkey until we reach the final result," the president said.
The Russian President said in the meeting that Moscow is determined to develop bilateral, regional and international cooperation with Iran, adding, “This cooperation will cover a wide range of economic and regional activities, particularly the joint fight against terrorism in the region”.
Vladimir Putin emphasised, “The achievements we see today in Syria are the result of the positive role of Iran and the tripartite cooperation of Russia, Iran and Turkey in the Astana Process”.
Putin continued, “Despite the existing problems, the two countries' trade relations are developing, and in the coming days, the Joint Commission on Cooperation between the two countries will be held in Tehran”.
The Russian President added, “Moscow remains interested in being present and investing in the energy sector and is committed to cooperating in a wide range of areas of interest to the two countries, as well as promoting the implementation of agreements on the construction of new units in the Bushehr Power Plant and rail transport”.
He went on to describe Iran's living up to the JCPOA, saying, “Moscow will continue its efforts for full implementation of the agreement by all parties”.
MS/4640510/President.ir
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