Sanctions Have Never Been Effective, Says Zarif

Madrid – Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif said that western sanctions on Iran have never been effective.

Speaking in a meeting with Spanish elite, Zarif defended Iran’s inalienable right for peaceful use of nuclear energy and said Iran has always been following the path to possess peaceful nuclear technology and has never shown any diversion, not basically seeing any reason for that as former EU High Representative, Javier Solana acknowledged.

Meanwhile, Zarif held talks with Spanish Minister of Industry, Jose Manuel Soria, in Madrid on ways to develop trade and economic cooperation.

He said that the sanctions violated the humanitarian law blocking the way to import medical supplies to the patients suffering from incurable diseases.

He said that Sanctions generally inflicted damages on the ordinary people. He added that patients in need of foreign medicines suffered from the tyrannical sanctions.

He criticized the western governments for considering the sanctions as a privilege.

‘It is unrealistic and inefficient tool. The approach prevents those who are seriously endeavoring to reach agreement.’

He said pressures have always been destructive and can not be helpful in the way to reach comprehensive accord.

He said that Iran and Spain would develop cooperation on tourism, energy and gas.

Noting that Iran has been moving in line with the policy of confidence building and transparency, Zarif said, ‘You cannot expect the Iranian nation to trust the West despite their background.’

Chief of Iran foreign diplomacy organ underlined that confidence-building and transparency should be on both sides and honoring the commitments and termination of sanctions should go in parallel.

In the meantime, Zarif said as far as developments west Asia is concerned, Iran has taken constrictive steps since beginning of the formation of the government of President Rouhani and has formed good relations with all the neighbors.

On Daesh terrorism, he said, ‘We refused to support Daesh and al-Qaeda, We have always been moving on a right course.’

The Iranian minister said to guarantee stability and security in other region, the countries created and supported certain groups, causing further insecurity and instability of the region.

Zarif made clear that the countries imposing sanctions against Iran were trying to dismantle the democratic system of Iran but our nation showed through its historical resistance that it is an inefficient tool, so forcing the countries imposing sanctions to choose other way, let’s say the diplomatic choice for engagement with Iran. ‘We have always been emphasizing the principle and moving in that line.’

‘As for Yemen, history has proved that no foreign country can dominate Yemen.bombardment of Yemen, of people’s houses, of the country’s infrastructures and of its hospitals is not the solution to the crisis. The preconditions can not accelerate access to the solution as was the case in Syria.’

Zarif says EU expected to take effective role in comprehensive deal

Speaking to IRNA, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Tuesday that the European Union is expected to take effective role to reach comprehensive deal about nuclear dispute.

He said that the cooperation between Iran and European Union in the interest of world.

As per the framework agreement reached with the UN Security Council members plus Germany, the US, France, UK, Russia and China undertook to pass a new resolution at the top Unitd Nations decision making body to terminate all the sanctions adopted against Iran so far over the nuclear dispute.

The new resolution by the Security Council will set a precedent under the international law for the United States and the European Union to follow suit by revoking the unilateral sanctions.

Foreign minister said that in his trip to Madrid and Lisbon, he would discuss the European effective role to come to terms with the Islamic Republic of Iran and boost of ties.

Elaborating on the importance of his trip to Kazakhstan, he said that Kazakhstan is one of the Caspian Sea littoral states which has cordial ties with Iran.

There are good grounds to boost bilateral ties between Iran and Kazakhstan, Zarif added.

He said that the grounds for transit of goods and export of technical and engineering services are prepared for Tehran and Astana.

Meanwhile, he expressed deep concern about spread of extremism in central Asia and called for collective cooperation in the international campaign against terrorism.

Zarif said that President Nursultan Nazarbayev will pay a visit to Iran this Iranian year (1394 started on March 21), adding that the Joint economic commission between Iran and Kazakhstan will survey the grounds prepared for cooperation prior to the Kazakh president’s visit.

Zarif arrived in Madrid early on Tuesday and will depart Madrid for Lisbon, Portugal, lateer in the day.

IRNA

R.S