At a press conference on March 9, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and E.U. foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton emphasized their commitment to securing a nuclear agreement before July 2014. The six-month deadline that the world’s six major powers and Iran agreed on can be extended by another six months by mutual consent. But Zarif told journalists that with “desire, commitment and willingness, a comprehensive deal can be reached ... in four or five months.” Ashton, however, warned that the road to a final agreement will be “difficult” and “challenging.” She added that there is “no guarantee” that the two sides will succeed.
Ashton’s two-day trip to Iran marks the first visit by an E.U. foreign policy chief since 2008. The primary aim of the visit was to discuss new opportunities for improving Iran’s relationship with the European Union. Ashton discussed trade, human rights, the Syrian conflict and other pressing issues in her meetings with President Hassan Rouhani, Parliamentary Speaker Ali Larijani and Foreign Minister Zarif. The following are excerpted remarks by Ashton and Zarif.
E.U. High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Catherine Ashton
“I think that [interim nuclear agreement] should give you a real indication of the approach that the international community wants to take. I want to commend Minister Zarif and his team for the work that they have done. I have been engaged in discussions with Iran for nearly four years and I think this interim agreement is really really important, but not as important as a comprehensive agreement that we are currently engaged in. Difficult, challenging, there is no guarantee it will succeed, but I think it’s very important with the support of the people of Iran for the work that is going on by the Minister and his team and with the support of the International Community for my work that we should aim to try and succeed.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif
“Iran is determined to reach an agreement ... We have shown goodwill and we have done our side. Now it is up to the other party to show the same goodwill and determination.
“With desire, commitment and willingness a comprehensive deal can be reached ... in four or five months.
“But that requires a recognition that Iran will only accept a solution that is respectful, that respects the rights of the Iranian people.
“Iran finds it in its own interest to make sure that there are no ambiguities about Iran’s intentions, because we have no intention to seek nuclear weapons."