Zarif made the remarks in a Friday meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Singapore. He had earlier in a Thursday tweet referred to ‘innovation’ as an imperative factor in preserving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
While in Singapore, Zarif discussed the issue of nuclear deal in bilateral talks with his French, Australian, Chinese, and Indonesian counterparts as well as the Singaporean president and the EU foreign policy chief.
During his talks with China’s Yi, Zarif described Beijing as an important country and a strategic partner for Iran, and underlined the need for maintaining the high level of bilateral relations and expanding them while finding innovative ways to help Iran benefit from the JCPOA’s achievements.
The Chinese top diplomat, for his part, described the relations between Tehran and Beijing as “friendly, strategic, and all-out”.
“The two countries will continue their closer cooperation in all bilateral, regional, and international fields, especially on maintaining the Iran nuclear deal as an achievement of diplomacy,” he noted.
He also said that Tehran must be able to reap the benefits of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
In the meeting with EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini, the two sides talked about the latest developments and measures taken at the global and EU level to help Iran reap the full benefits of the JCPOA after the US’ illegal withdrawal from the 2015 agreement.
Zarif also conferred with his Australian counterpart Julie Bishop on the most important issues in bilateral relations, including consular affairs, economic relation, the Iran nuclear deal, and regional and international issues.
Earlier on Thursday, Zarif had a phone conversation with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian on the nuclear deal, and ways to help Tehran benefit from its achievements.
The talks were held as Europe is trying to express its determination to maintain its business links with Iran. The bloc has already presented Tehran with a package of incentives to help save the JCPOA after the US’ unilateral withdrawal in May.
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani earlier noted that the ball is now in Europe’s court to make up for Washington’s absence and work to keep the landmark agreement alive.
Rouhani made the remarks on Tuesday during a meeting with Britain’s new Ambassador to Tehran Rob Macaire. “Today, we are at a very important historic moment regarding the JCPOA.”
The president said the European parties need to transparently declare what measures they intend to adopt in order to make up for Washington’s “illegal” pull-out from the Iran deal.
