Iran To Decide On Participation At Geneva II After Knowing Its Date, Agenda

Tehran, June 22, IRNA – Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyyed Abbas Araqchi emphasized here Friday Islamic Republic of Iran’s decision on attending the International Geneva II Conference on Syria would be announced after knowing its agenda, its date and its objectives. “We welcome such comments, but our decision making on presence of absence at Geneva Conference depends on clarification of it agenda, its date and its objective,” added Araqchi in his Friday morning interview with IRNA in response to a question, “The Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, too, has like the French President Francoise Hollande asked for the presence of President-elect Hassan Rowhani at Geneva II conference. Referring to the comments made by various personalities about the International Geneva II Conference on Syria, he reiterated, “We have still received no official invitation for the presence of our country at that gathering.” The deputy foreign minister emphasized, “Although there have been lots of consultations about the matter, but there has still been no agendas, no declaration of conference plans, and no announced dates for holding the International Geneva II Conference on Syria. Earlier, the Iranian officials had said that Iran has been invited orally to attend the International Geneva II Conference on Syria. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday asked for participation of Iranian President-elect Hassan Rowhani in the upcoming International Geneva II Conference on Syria. Lavrov added, “We believe the Iranian president-elect must participate in Geneva II Conference on Syria.” The Russian foreign minister added, “Iran and the entire neighbors of Syria which are directly related with this crisis must be invited to the Geneva II Conference.” Lavrov meanwhile noted that until a short while ago France was seriously opposed to Iran’s presence at the Geneva I conference, but now Paris has revised its policy in this respect. The Russian foreign minister also noted that the G5+1 talk should be held after the swearing in of the Iranian President-elect Hassan Rowhani. Russia has in the course of the past weeks several times reiterated the need for Iran’s participation in International Geneva II Conference on Syria. Lavrov had on Tuesday said, “In line with the presence of the influential sides’ presence at Geneva II, we consider necessary the active presence and participation of Iran and Saudi Arabia in this conference and will keep on diplomatic efforts in this regard.ˈ The Russian top diplomat reiterated that on June 5th the trilateral consultation were held among Russia, America and United Nations about the International Conference on Syria and the second round of those consultation are scheduled to be held on June 25th. The Russian foreign minister had also emphasized the need for Iran’s participation at Geneva II Conference, announcing, “Our partners’ arguments against Iran’s presence are not logical and serious.” He said, “We suppose our partners’ main reason for opposing the participation of Iran at Geneva II Conference is Tehran’s refraining from participation in efforts aimed at regime change in Syria.” The Russian foreign minister pointed out that the combination of the participants at the International Conference on Syria is among the main points, reiterating, “We insist that the entire neighbors of Syria and influential regional countries, including Iran and Egypt must be invited to participate in Geneva II Conference.” The Russian foreign minister said elsewhere that his country would not change its policy of insisting over Islamic Republic of Iran at International Geneva II Conference on Syria.