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Rouhani Defends Zarif’s Visit To Europe

Iran’s president on Monday said that even though talks and meetings with Western countries had a low chance of success, his government would not miss the opportunity to negotiate.

State TV broadcast Hassan Rouhani giving a speech in Tehran, during which he referred to Sunday’s surprise trip by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to Biarritz in France, where the Group of Seven summit was in progress.

“We should do our job and take action. Even if the odds of success are not 90%, but are 20 or 10%, we must move ahead with it. We should not miss opportunities,” Rouhani said. “I believe that in order to secure our country’s national interests, any instrument should be used. If I know that going to a meeting and visiting a person will help the country get developed and solve the people's problems, I will not miss it. The principle is the national interests of our nation.”

During his brief visit to Biarritz, Zarif held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and French, German and British diplomats.

“Our foreign minister goes to Paris, gets back here and consults with us and returns there once again. After the present meeting also, we are discussing relevant issues with the officials. We should do our job and take action. Even if the odds of success are not 90%, but are 20 or 10%, we must move ahead with it. We should not miss opportunities,” he said. 

Macron has taken a lead role in trying to save the 2015 nuclear accord, which has been unraveling since the US pulled out of the agreement. 

Rouhani Defends Zarif’s Visit To Europe

Rouhani says the Iranian government should do its job and should “we should not miss opportunities”.

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Iran’s president on Monday said that even though talks and meetings with Western countries had a low chance of success, his government would not miss the opportunity to negotiate.

State TV broadcast Hassan Rouhani giving a speech in Tehran, during which he referred to Sunday’s surprise trip by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to Biarritz in France, where the Group of Seven summit was in progress.

“We should do our job and take action. Even if the odds of success are not 90%, but are 20 or 10%, we must move ahead with it. We should not miss opportunities,” Rouhani said. “I believe that in order to secure our country’s national interests, any instrument should be used. If I know that going to a meeting and visiting a person will help the country get developed and solve the people's problems, I will not miss it. The principle is the national interests of our nation.”

During his brief visit to Biarritz, Zarif held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and French, German and British diplomats.

“Our foreign minister goes to Paris, gets back here and consults with us and returns there once again. After the present meeting also, we are discussing relevant issues with the officials. We should do our job and take action. Even if the odds of success are not 90%, but are 20 or 10%, we must move ahead with it. We should not miss opportunities,” he said. 

Macron has taken a lead role in trying to save the 2015 nuclear accord, which has been unraveling since the US pulled out of the agreement. 

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