Iranˈs Approach To China Long Term, Strategic: Dy FM

Tehran, April 8, IRNA – Iranˈs approach to China is long-term and strategic, said Deputy Foreign Minister Morteza Sarmadi on Monday. Sarmadi made the remarks in a meeting to bid farewell to outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Iran Yohong Yang. Sarmadi called for expansion of bilateral cooperation within the frameworks of joint economic commission. Sarmadi described the meeting of Iranian and Chinese presidents in Bishkek and the agreements between the two countries as important and called for exchange of visits between officials of Tehran and Beijing to pursue the implementation of mutual agreements. Referring to close views shared by Iran and China, as two countries with ancient civilization and history, and their regional and international influence, Sarmadi called for further cooperation between Tehran and Beijing with an aim of thwarting unilateral and tyrannical measures by certain countries to pressure independent countries. The deputy foreign minister also touched upon the new round of nuclear talks between Iran and the six powers and said that China as a member of the P5+1 could help reach a comprehensive and final deal to solve a decade-old stand-off over Iranˈs nuclear program. The Chinese ambassador, for his part, said his country is determined to cement ties with Iran and attaches special significance to expansion of relations with Iran as an important and reliable ally. Yang expressed satisfaction with the current level of cooperation between the two countries. However he said there are abundant capacities to be used to further promote all-out ties between Iran and China. He reiterated Chinaˈs support for Iranˈs legitimate right to nuclear energy and voiced his countryˈs opposition to sanctions imposed on Iran. He hailed Iranˈs resolve to constructively interact with the world. The ambassador urged further cooperation between Iran and China in the international arena./end