Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says a comprehensive deal over Iran’s nuclear program needs political resolve from the Islamic Republic’s negotiating partners, saying that China can help bring about a quick clinching of the deal.
"Under the current circumstances, a final agreement can be reached in a short time if there is sufficient political will in the other party; and an effective presence by China [in the nuclear talks] can help further shorten that time,” Rouhani said in a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Tehran on Sunday.
The Iranian president hoped that a final deal would be reached at the earliest with China’s cooperation and within the framework of the talks with the 5+1 group (Russia, China, France, Britain, the United States, and Germany).
The Iranian president highlighted that such an agreement would safeguard the rights of the Iranian nation, and could prepare the ground for further international understanding and cooperation.
Iran says it will not agree with extension of nuclear talks
In a separate meeting with the Chinese foreign minister on Monday, Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said that Iran is "serious” in reaching a nuclear agreement with the major powers and does not agree with the extension of talks.
Iran and its negotiating partners (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) have agreed to try to reach a political understanding by the end of March, with a view to a full-blown nuclear pact by a June 30 deadline.
"Other sides should also show political will to reach an agreement,” Larijani noted.
Elsewhere in his remarks, he stated that Iran views development of ties with China as "strategic” and the Iranian parliament supports expansion of relations.
He went on to say that cooperation between Iran and China will bear "positive” consequences for the security and stability of the world.
The Chinese foreign minister also said "political and parliamentary” relations are important for expansion of cooperation.
On the nuclear talks between Iran and the six major powers, Yi said that China is committed to peaceful resolution of Iran’s nuclear issue, hoping for a "strategic” agreement that would serve the interests of both sides.
President Rouhani also described Iran-China cooperation as strategically important for regional development and security, stating that China has had very good cooperation with Iran and such interactions can be expanded to all areas.
Wang, for his part, said China is determined to upgrade its cooperation and relations with Iran to a strategic level and engage in long-term cooperation with Iran.
Referring to Iran’s determination to go on with its peaceful nuclear work and efforts made by some countries to obstruct Iran’s progress, the Chinese top diplomat noted that the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and President Rouhani have reiterated time and again that the country does not seek to produce nuclear weapons.
Velayati says Iran, China will become ‘strategic’ partners
Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior foreign policy advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, has said that relations between Iran and China will definitely become "strategic” and "serious”.
Velayati made the remarks during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Tehran on Monday.
Given "common interests” between Iran and China and a history of long cooperation definitely the ties will become "strategic” and "serious”, Velayati, a veteran politician, predicted.
The Chinese foreign minister also said it is essential to expand ties between the two countries in various spheres.
Majid-Reza Hariri, the vice president of Iran-China Chamber of Commerce Transactions, had told the Iran Daily last October that trade ties between Iran and China would reach $44 billion by the end of 2014.
China is a member of the 5+1 nations that are negotiating with Tehran over its nuclear program. China and Russia have been acting as facilitators in negotiations.
Chinese president to visit Iran
Velayati said Iran is expecting a visit to Iran by Chinese President Xi Jinping soon.
"We are expecting the Chinese president to visit Iran soon.”
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Source: Tehran Times & Press TV
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