On Wednesday 25 November 2015, Jean Asselborn paid a working visit to Iran where he was received by the President of the Islamic Republic, Hassan Rouhani.
The Luxembourg Minister of Foreign and European Affairs also met with his Iranian counterpart, Javad Zarif, as well as the chairman of the Parliament, Ali Larijani, the Governor of the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Valiollah Seif, and the diplomatic adviser to the Supreme Leader, Ali Akbar Velayati.
The meetings first provided an opportunity to take stock of the development of relations between Luxembourg and Iran, particularly following the Iranian nuclear agreement (JCPOA) signed in Vienna on 14 July earlier this year.
"The agreement is a good one, it is strong, ambitious and sustainable and provides all the necessary guarantees," stated Minister Asselborn. "It is now crucial that Iran and other partners fully implement the commitments made in accordance with the agreed schedule." He continued by explaining that "Our relations should not be based on sanctions, but on respect and mutual interests."
Talks with the Iranian authorities identified ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in areas of common interest, such as financial and economic, particularly with regards to aviation and telecommunications. Ministers Asselborn and Zarif signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) providing for annual bilateral political consultations between the Grand Duchy and Iran in order to further develop these relations.
The Ministers also reviewed the internal situation in Iran, addressing the issues of the application of the death penalty, which Minister Asselborn condemned in its abuse of individual and collective rights, as well as freedom of expression and of media. The Luxembourg Foreign Minister called for the revival of strategic dialogue on human rights between the EU and Iran.
Discussions then focused on regional and international issues, including in the Middle East. Jean Asselborn and the Iranian authorities discussed the situations in Syria and Iraq regarding the fight against ISIS, before addressing the latest developments in Lebanon, Yemen and Afghanistan.
"There is no clash of civilisations, but a clash between civilisation and barbarism," commented Minister Asselborn, denouncing the exploitation of Islam for terrorist purposes. "The recent attacks in Paris and Beirut have shown that it is crucial that the fight against Daech be conducted on several fronts: we must deal with this terrorist organisation on the military, political, but also the ideological front." He welcomed Iran's determination to fight against ISIS and highlight enhanced cooperation against extremists.
"I am convinced that a lasting political solution depends on the attitude adopted by countries with political or economic influence on the parties in the Syrian conflict," he concluded. "These countries should use their political influence to convince the Syrian parties to continue the bargaining table because the resolution of the Syrian conflict will be political, not just military."
Top photo by www.president.ir M.Berno (L-R: Jean Asselborn; Hassan Rohani)
Bottom photo by MAEE (L-R: Jean Asselborn; Javad Zarif)
