Zarif expresses hope Riyadh sets cooperation ground
ILNA: Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif expressed hope that Saudi Arabia, with an outlook based on realism and good - neighborly relations, would prepare the ground for bilateral cooperation.
Speaking in a press conference with visiting Croatian Foreign Minister Vesna Pusic in Tehran, Zarif said in his visit to Saudi Arabia, he officially expressed condolences on the demise of King Abdullah.
‘Iran and Saudi Arabia have no problem in their bilateral relations. On regional issues, it is necessary to reach a common solution to help the region. The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready in this regard. We hope to create stability and security in the region without any foreign interference and with the cooperation of regional countries, ’ he said.
On a question about his meetings in the upcoming Munich Security Conference, Zarif said he would hold meetings on the sidelines of the conference but no meetings with the foreign Ministers of the Group ۵ + ۱ have been planned.
Stressing that Munich is an opportunity which should be seized, Zarif added late in the week, there would be meetings with three European countries. There have been continuous talks with Russia and China, too.
‘All these meetings and talks are for an agreement which I think is accessible, ’ the foreign minister said.
On a question about his remarks in Davos over Iran’s majlis actions against US Congress possible anti - Iran sanctions, Zarif said what he said was not a threat but a reality since Iranian parliament can make decisions which are binding because the president in Iran cannot veto majlis legislations.
‘Our friends in majlis have already said that they would respond to US Congress actions. It is quite probable that Iranian majlis do something vis a vis the actions of the radicals in US Congress, ’ said Zarif.
He added nuclear talks can have a conclusion if the other side has the needed political will. Western politicians, especially the Americans, should take this point into consideration that the sanctions have nothing but harm for them and creation of hatred among Iranian people. Sanctions have not been able to do any harm to Iran’s nuclear program.
The West should decide whether they want to achieve their goals through negotiations or pressure, said Zarif.
‘There are certain interest groups outside West which want to block any understanding. If they prevail, then a different approach would be followed. ’