JCPOA a test for both sides, breaching it to bring regret to everyone

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani met with the foreign minister of France Jean-Yves Le Drian on Monday evening, and emphasized, "The Islamic Republic of Iran considers no limits on the path of development, strengthening and consolidation of relations and cooperation with France".

The president also described the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as a test for all negotiating parties, and added, "JCPOA's stability proves it to the world that negotiation and diplomacy are the best options for solving problems, and its breach means that political talks are a waste of time".

Stressing the need for all negotiating parties of the JCPOA to live up to their commitments, President Rouhani said, "Iran will never be the first party to violate the JCPOA and considers the agreement as effective in enhancing trust, peace, cooperation and regional and international stability".

"The collapse of the nuclear deal will bring regret to all, and of course, we will be prepared for any conditions that are against our will," the president emphasized, underscoring the need to maintain the JCPOA.

"Fortunately today, a favourable atmosphere has been provided by the JCPOA for the development of relations and cooperation between the two countries, and we should work to achieve our important and common goals to serve the interests of the two nations," Dr. Rouhani said, adding that Iran and France have common views on the JCPOA.

Referring to the need for Iran and France to cooperate on regional stability and security, the president said, "France and the Islamic Republic of Iran have played a positive role in solving the recent issues in Lebanon and should work in the direction of strengthening peace in this country and providing the required groundwork for an election that will bring about vitality and political solidity in this country".

Dr. Rouhani described the security of the Persian Gulf as an issue of importance in the region and mentioned the Yemeni crisis, saying, "It is an international and human duty to do our best for a cease-fire, ending of war and the killing of people in Yemen, and sending humanitarian aid to the people of this country who are suffering from bombing, diseases and plenty of problems".

The president also said, "The Islamic Republic of Iran's presence in Syria has been at the Syrian government's request to fight terrorism, while terrorism in the region has not been completely eradicated and it is still a threat to other countries as well".

"There is no way but to strengthen the central government in Damascus to solve the Syrian crisis," said Dr. Rouhani, stressing that the fight for complete eradiation of terrorism and helping the Syrian people were one of the top priorities of Iran-France cooperation in the region.

At the same meeting, the foreign minister of France emphasized France's interest and respect for maintenance of the JCPOA, saying, "The IAEA reports indicate that Iran is fully committed to its commitments, and France will do its utmost for JCPOA's stability".

Pointing out that Tehran-Paris economic and trade relations have increased significantly since the last two years after the JCPOA, Le Drian said, "We are interested in the development and consolidation of relations and cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran".

He also stated, "Iran and France can have good cooperation with each other in promoting regional stability and security, particularly by preventing humanitarian disasters in the countries of the region and resolving regional crises".

"We are interested in consulting and cooperating with Iran as a friend country on all issues of mutual interest," the French foreign minister said.

Source:ISNA