Iran, Belarus must stand together against unfair sanctions: Iranian FM

TEHRAN, Dec. 28 (MNA) – In a Saturday meeting with his Belarusian counterpart, Zarif stressed cooperation in standing against the Western countries’ unfair sanctions. While highlighting the development of all-out relations between Iran and Belarus, Mohammad Javad Zarif noted that Iranian private companies have expressed willingness to cooperate in Belarus’ economic projects. While pointing to the unfair sanctions against both countries, Zarif said, “we must not allow the West to use sanctions as a tool for exerting pressure on other countries. The countries under unfair and illegal sanctions need to rely on their own resources and cooperate with one another in order to proceed.” Zarif also stressed the Islamic Republic’s will and good intention in tackling the nuclear issue, reminding that the sanctions were against the international law and would never count as a great achievement for the ones’ imposing them. “Once the West comes to this fact that sanctions will get them nowhere, the nuclear negotiations with the G5+1 will be brought to fruition,” he said. Elsewhere, Zarif condemned the instrumental use of human rights, adding, “the Western countries distinguish between Iraq and Syria in their fight against ISIL. This proves that human rights is nothing but an instrument to them.” He also addressed the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) countries, stressing that they must prevent the Western countries from issuing unfair resolutions against other countries. Zarif maintained that the Islamic Republic would continue its support for Iraqi people and government, also expressing optimism that the regional countries would be able to cooperate with one another in resolving the Ukrainian crisis. Vladimir Makei, for his part, expressed satisfaction over his visit to Iran, asserting that Belarus has always supported Iran’s right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy and believes that the Iranian negotiating team has been proceeding with the talks rationally and prudently. In regard to development of economic ties, the Belarusian FM announced the upcoming visit of an economic delegation comprising Belarusian companies to Iran, as well as the formation of a joint economic commission. Mohammad Javad Zarif welcomed Makei’s official invitation to visit Belarus.