FM: Iran To Accept Only Deals That Respect Nationˈs Rights

Tehran, March 9, IRNA – Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif stressed that Iran will accept only an agreement which respects rights of the nation. Making the remark in a joint press conference with the European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, he said that Iran and the 5+1 could achieve a final agreement within the next four or five months or even less. He stressed that Iran will only concede to an agreement which guarantees the nationˈs rights. Asked by the BBC correspondent if Iran is concerned about the failure of the nuclear talks, he noted that Iran is totally committed to the agreement and there is a political will in the county towards it. He said now it is up to the other parties involved in the talks to fulfill their commitments towards the Geneva deal as the first step before coming to the negotiation table so that an agreement is worked out that could be acceptable to both sides. Stressing that Iran is not after nuclear arms, the foreign minister said Iran is trying to move any vague points. Ashton arrived here Saturday evening upon Zarifˈs invitation. This is her first visit to Tehran since 2008. During her stay, she is to discuss different aspects of relations between Tehran and the European Union as well as Iranˈs peaceful nuclear program in separate meetings with senior Iranian officials including President Hassan Rouhani. The EU foreign policy chief is also to hold talks with Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani. Ashton is accompanied by her deputy Helga Schmid and special aide Stefan Clement./end