Araqchi: Geneva Agreement Recognized Iran’s N-program, Enrichment

Tehran, Dec 4, IRNA – Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Relations Abbas Araqchi said on Tuesday that Geneva agreement with a win-win approach recognized Iran’s nuclear rights along with uranium enrichment. Araqchi is currently visiting The Hague to attend the 18th conference on prohibition of chemical weapons. In a meeting with Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans, the two officials discussed ways to expand mutual relations as well as regional and international developments. Highlighting the latest achievements in nuclear talks held in Geneva, he said that dialog is the only effective means to resolve international issues. Geneva talks were based on a win-win approach, he said adding that Iran is now determined to go ahead with confidence-building measures in line with the agreement it reached with Group 5+1 on November 24. Based on Islamic beliefs and the country’s security policy, Iran does not need to build nuclear weapon and that the national nuclear program is of peaceful nature, he said. The Islamic Republic of Iran has always expressed readiness to remove ambiguities in accordance with the steps taken by the other side, he said. The imposed sanctions on Iran were unconstructive and should be removed as soon as possible, he said. On humanitarian crisis in Syria, he said the issue should be resolved through Syrian-Syrian dialogue and the significant role of Iran to this end should be taken into consideration. The Dutch foreign minister for his part welcomed Araqchi and said his government fully backs Geneva talks and underlined that his country is to play its positive role to help implement the deal at the European Union. Referring to historical relations between the two nations, he said the Dutch government is eager to broaden relations and cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Active presence of Iran in Geneva 2 conference on Syria is very essential, said the Dutch foreign minister. The two officials called for removal of existing barriers and shortcomings to help broaden relations between Iran and the Netherlands./end