Iran, UK after 35 years; constructive and pragmatic dialogue

Hassan Rouhani, the Iranian president, has hailed a “new outlook” in relations with Britain after holding talks with David Cameron in the first direct meeting between the two countries’ leaders in 35 years.

“One hour of constructive and pragmatic dialogue, new outlook,” the Iranian president said after the meeting at the United Nations in New York.

Mr Cameron made no comment as he left the talks, but he was overhead remarking to an aide: “A little bit of history made.”

The meeting, held in a small office of the UK mission in the UN building, overlooking the Hudson River, was the first face-to-face session between the British and Iranian heads of government since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

The talks represented a major thaw in relations between the two countries which have agreed to re-open embassies after Britain closed its mission in 2011.

Iran can help defeat the ISIL terrorists in Syria, British Prime Minister David Cameron has said following talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.“Iran’s leaders could help in defeating the threat from ISIL,” Cameron said.

The British premier added that Iranian authorities “could help secure a more stable, inclusive Iraq, and a more stable, inclusive Syria,” and urged the international community to welcome actions on the part of Iran to combat the Takfiri militants.

Cameron noted that the international coalition against the threat imposed by ISIL must be inclusive. He also said he will hold a parliamentary debate Friday to discuss a possible British involvement in airstrikes against the ISIL positions in Iraq.

The two sides discussed Irans nuclear issue, danger of terrorism in Syria and Iraq as well as bilateral relations.

In the meeting, Rouhani said that end of sanctions and making an agreement will help sustainable and expanded ties between different sides.

He added that Irans government wants a constructive interaction with the world upon mutual respect and wishes to have good relations and developed ties with Britain.

Rouhani continued that Iranian and British businessmen have had good trade relations since long time ago and called for facilitation for both countries citizens transport and promotion of scientific and cultural ties.

Referring to elaborated talks between Iran and Group 5+1 on nuclear issue, Rouhani said Iran has serious intention to reach a comprehensive result in negotiations and continuation of peaceful nuclear activities in the framework of NPT.

He added that Iran has always had a transparent cooperation with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and stressed that reports of the agency inspectors indicated that Irans activities have had no deviation.

Iranian president expressed hope that with good intention of negotiating countries a comprehensive agreement be achieved.

He pointed out that way of imposing sanctions has had no use, but only damage for all sides, while ending sanctions and beginning of an agreement can help expanded and sustainable relations between all sides.

President Rouhani underlined that the two sides should use past experiences for building future, adding that all NPT members should have equal rights and discrimination is not acceptable.

He stressed that a sustainable agreement which observes nations rights could be achieved and humiliation of a nation would not help anyone.

Rouhani added that if Group 5+1 has necessary flexibility, agreement would be accessible in a reasonable time and among its benefits is confidence building, which could be a base for development of cooperation in other fields.

President Rouhani also pointed to fatwa of Irans Supreme Leader as the biggest guarantee for non-deviation of peaceful nuclear activities.

Referring to insecurity and instability caused by the barbaric acts of the terrorist groups and by referring to necessity of drying roots of terrorists activity, Rouhani said we should accept that terrorist activities are not beneficial for anybody and terrorism is not a suitable tool to achieve political interests.

President Rouhani said that for fighting against terrorism, there is need for cooperation; terrorists should be followed and their activities should be observed and those countries which provide money and arms for them should be confronted.

Cameron, for his part, referred to disagreements between Iran and Britain in recent years and said that opportunity to rebuild bilateral ties between Iran and the west is important, adding that there is great capacity in the field of economy and scientific issues for cooperation and talk between the two countries.

The British premier said that Iran, like all other countries, has the right to use peaceful nuclear energy and said Irans serious intention to access a comprehensive nuclear agreement is positive.

He also praised Irans help for establishment of a new government in Iraq.

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