Rohani: Discrimination in nuclear rights not acceptable

27 September 2013 | 16:33 Code : 1922033 Latest Headlines

According to the IRNA correspondent at UN, president Rohani made the comment in a meeting with the President of the European Council - Herman Achille Van Rompuy on the sidelines of the 68th UN annual General Assembly.

The Iranian president in the meeting referred to the historical relations between Iran and Europe, emphasizing the need for ever more expansion of relations between Iran and the EU in economic, cultural and political fields.

President Rohani reminded President Rompuy about the illegal moves made by some world power in dealing with the Iranian people, reiterating, “Efforts aimed at segregation of Iran dilute relations and mutual trust.”

Sanctions and threats are not appropriate and effective ways for resolving problems, as they have reverse effects. Under the current conditions, greater good will can yield better results and even lead to finding solutions,” he emphasized.

We wish there would be no discrimination in observing the nuclear rights regarding Iran and enjoying the equal rights with the other countries in this respect, the president also reiterated.

President Rohani pointing out that the Islamic Republic of Iran is not after hiding its peaceful nuclear activities, and said, The entire nuclear activities of Iran are conducted under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).”

The Iranian president also one more time stressed that there is no place for any type of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in the Iranian defense doctrine, adding that the Iranian nation is a victim of unconventional weapons.

The president referred to the recent presidential election in Iran, saying, “The people of Iran granted a new power to their government whose motto is effective and constructive interactions with the world.”

He expressed the hope that the involved people in negotiations with Iran would be benefited from this open window.

Rohani, meanwhile, reiterated that the negotiations on entire issues is appropriate, but of course the nuclear issue has fist priority.

The president, meanwhile, referred to the regional and particularly the Syrian developments and said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran is seriously concerned about the accumulation of terrorist groups in Syria.”

We are ready to contribute to any international gathering that would work aimed at resolving the Syrian crisis, he added.

*** Iran’s nuclear rights must be preserved

The president of European Council, for his part referred to the significant role of Iran in the region, saying, We are aware of Iran’s concerns regarding Syria and for us, too, a political solution has first priority.

Herman Achille Van Rompuy told President Rohani, Hope and trust are two keywords in your lectures and we, too, are ready for preserving the Iranian nation’s rights to use the nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.”

He, meanwhile, referred to the Thursday evening meeting between the Iranian delegation and the ministers of foreign affairs of the G5+1, saying, This is going to be a very important meeting and a turning point in Iran-EU relations.

Irans Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Thursday that todays much anticipated talks with foreign ministers of the six world powers is a “significant first step.

This is a beginning to show that there is political will to move towards resolving the issue, said Zarif in a note posted on his Facebook page, adding, “The 5+1 ministers, too, have tight schedules, like me and therefore we cannot expect the session to take long or to come up with a definitive result.

Zarif added that the next round of talks with the G5+1, which comprises the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany, will be held in mid-October at the European UN Headquarters in Geneva.

The meeting which is hosted by EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, and attended by seven foreign ministers, will mark the highest-level, direct contact between the US and Iran in many years as the US secretary of state, John Kerry, comes face-to-face with the Iranian foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif.

But the two top diplomats have no plans for a one-on-one meeting.

In an interview with the Washington Post on Wednesday, Iranian President Hassan Rohani called for a timeline for negotiations between Iran and the G5+1, saying, The shorter it is the more beneficial it is to everyone. If it would be three months that would be Irans choice and if it would be six months that would still be good. It is a question of months not years.

He also said on Wednesday that Tehran had nothing to hide about its nuclear program.

Meantime, Zarif said he hoped his counterparts have the same political will as we do to start serious negotiations with a view to reach an agreement within the shortest span of time.

tags: iran rohani negotiations