MNA – Iranian deputy foreign minister for political affairs, Abbas Araghchi says that Iran’s economic interests in the JCPOA have not been realized yet, warning that the deal has been put in a difficult situation.







Abbas Araghchi made the remarks in the 3rd High-Level EU-Iran Seminar on International Nuclear Cooperation, in Brussels on Monday.

“The re-imposition of US sanctions has lowered Iran's benefits to zero,” Araghchi said, adding “the JCPOA does not belong to the United States or Iran, but it is an international agreement approved by UN Security Council members in resolution 2231.”

The Iranian diplomat noted “the United States has violated this [UN] resolution and punishes other countries because of their compliance.”

“It is an international duty to preserve the JCPOA and we all have to take steps to implement the agreement,” the Iranian deputy foreign minister said.

While praising Europe for efforts to keep the JCPOA alive politically, he said that the Europeans have not taken practical steps to help Iran benefit from the economic advantages incorporated in the JCPOA.

“If Iran does not enjoy the JCPOA benefits, the deal will not survive,” Araghchi noted.

The Iranian diplomat also touched upon the nuclear cooperation between Iran and Europe, saying “the nuclear cooperation is not limited to [Iranian} nuclear facilities of Arak and Fordow, but there are other projects that have trade aspects but due to US threats and lack of a financial channel they are stopped.”

He went on to conclude that establishing a financial mechanism to continue peaceful nuclear cooperation and the implementation of Annex III ‘is a necessity.’

The Iranian diplomat also expressed hope that Europe will soon build the promised financial mechanism to avoid negative effects of the US sanctions to help European companies to continue business with Iran.

The Iran-EU high-level seminar, dubbed “the 3rd High-Level EU-Iran Seminar on International Nuclear Cooperation,” kicked off in Brussels, Belgian capital on Monday. EU Energy Commissioner, Miguel Arias Cañete delivered a speech at the opening of the seminar. From Iran, in addition to deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araghchi, the Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi, delivered their speeches.

Also, Secretary General of the European External Action Service (EEAS) Helga Schmid was attending the meeting.