Iran Press/Europe: He said in a press release: "As Coordinator of the JCPOA Joint Commission, I am determined to do everything to preserve this deal which is key to regional and international security."
The statement, referring to Joseph Borrell's meetings with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Hassan Rouhani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Javad Zarif, and the Speaker of the Majlis, Ali Larijani, and the issues raised during the meetings, which were specifically centered on the JCPOA, stated: "The Joint Commissioner for the JCPOA is determined to do whatever it can to preserve the agreement, which is a key agreement for regional and global security."
He underlined the need for full implementation of the JCPOA by all sides. He said: "As Coordinator of the JCPOA Joint Commission, I am determined to do everything to preserve this deal which is key to regional and international security. We are continuing to work with all participants to make progress. We expect Iran to return to full compliance with its nuclear commitments. But Iran needs to be able to benefit economically from sanctions lifting."
The High Representative also underlined the EU’s willingness to deepen its bilateral cooperation with Iran on issues of common interest. In this context, both sides agreed to continue discussions during the upcoming EU-Iran High-Level Dialogue, which will be held in March 2020 in Tehran.
The High-Level Dialogue addresses political, security and human rights issues, as well as important sectoral cooperation, including trade, environmental issues, migration, and issues of nuclear safety. This cooperation is underpinned by a financial envelope of about €150 million between 2018 and 2020.
The European Union and the European Troika (Germany, Britain, and France) have pledged to maintain the deal after the US illegally withdrew (May 8, 2018) but so far no success in the practical measures promised to maintain the agreement.
Speaking on Monday 3 February in a meeting with the High Representative of the European Union Josep Borrell in Tehran, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani added, "Whenever the other side lives up to its commitments completely, Iran is ready to return to its commitments too."
He also said that developing relations and cooperation with European countries, as long-standing partners, is always important to Iran, expressing hope that bilateral relations would further deepen with the efforts of the new EU foreign policy chief.
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