Vienna talks acceptable only when Iran’s rights secured, results tangible: FM

Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said the Vienna talks aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers will be acceptable only when there come tangible results from high-level negotiations and the interests of the Islamic Republic are secured.

“For Iran, a negotiation that has tangible and practical results and is accompanied by securing the rights and interests of the people is acceptable,” the FM said in a telephone phone conversation with the EU foreign policy chief Joseph Borrell on Friday, Press TV reported.

In his call to the top Iranian diplomat, Borrell congratulated the election of Amir-Abdollahian as foreign minister and expressed the European Union’s readiness to expand cooperation with Tehran, stressing that participation of the High Representative of the Union at the inauguration ceremony of the Iranian president showed the bloc’s determination in this regard.

Referring to the union's role as coordinator of the Vienna talks, Borrell stressed the bloc’s hopes for the establishment of the new Iranian government as soon as possible and for the announcement of a date on behalf of Tehran for the next Vienna meeting.         

Amir-Abdullahian, for his part, emphasized Tehran's commitment to dialogue and “constructive interaction within the framework of balanced diplomacy,” and regarded negotiations as a “tool for diplomacy.”

The FM referred to the law passed by the parliament on nuclear issues as binding on Iran’s government and said, “In any negotiation, the real action of the other parties must be proven in accordance with their obligations."

Formation of 'inclusive government' key to Afghan crisis

Elsewhere in his phone conversation, Borrell pointed to the developments in Afghanistan as a “new challenge” for the region and the world, stressing the need for serious cooperation on the issue of Afghan refugees.

Responding to Borrell’s remarks, Amir-Abdullahian said the solution to Afghanistan’s crisis is the formation of an “inclusive government that reflects the ethnic and demographic composition of the country.”

“It is the Afghan people who must decide for their future.”

Stressing that the Islamic Republic hosts more than three and a half million Afghans in the country, the Iranian foreign minister said the new wave of Afghan refugees is a serious issue which requires other countries and international organizations to provide assistance for a solution.

SS