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Mogherini, Zarif issue joint statement on Iran-EU coop.

The EU High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission (HRVP) Federica Mogherini, EU Commissioners Elżbieta Bieńkowska (Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs), Arias Cañete (Climate Action and Energy), Christos Stylianides (Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management), Violeta Bulc (Transport), Carlos Moedas (Research, Science and Innovation), Karmenu Vella (Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries) and Tibor Navracsics (Education, Culture, Youth and Sport) met with their Iranian counterparts here on Saturday.

The two sides taking stock of their long standing relations, based upon mutual respect and interests, reiterated their intention to develop a broad and comprehensive agenda for bilateral cooperation.

They welcomed the implementation day of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on 16 January 2016 that contributed toopening a new chapter in EU-Iran relations. The EU and Iran are fully committed to the JCPOA and its implementation in all its aspects. It was reconfirmed that the continued and full implementation of the JCPOA remains of utmost importance.

It was stated that the following shared and overarching objectives are vital for the promotion of EU-Iran relations:

Ensuring and supporting the full implementation of the JCPOA in order to further improve and deepen bilateral cooperation;

Developing cooperativerelations in areas of mutual interest to benefit the economic development, human rights, prosperity and well-being of the people of Iran and the EU;

Promoting regional peace, security and stability as well as peaceful settlement of regional conflicts through dialogue and engagement.

To facilitate the programme of cooperation as set out below and with a view to preparing the future opening of an EU Delegation in Tehran, in accordance with rules and regulations ofthe Islamic Republic of Iran, an EU liaison team will be sent to Tehran. This will contribute to strengthening the relations and implement future cooperation initiatives.

The EU and Iran intend to cooperate in the following areas:

Political Consultations

The two sides intend to enhance their political dialogue through consultations at the level of the HRVP and the Iranian Foreign Minister,annually. This advances the existing agreement to meet regularly for a High Level Dialogue at Deputy Minister/ Political Director level. Senior officials and experts will meet as required to explore other fields of mutual interest in which bilateral, regional andinternational cooperation projects could be developed.

Human Rights

The two sides expressed their determination to enhance and promote human rights. In this context, they intend to engage in a human rights dialogue. To this end, they would welcome the exchange of visits of delegations.

Economic Cooperation

The two sides encourage the expansion of economic relations between EU and Iran, recognizing the importance of macro-economic issues, trade, finance and investment in achieving sustainable growth and development. They intend to engage in a macro-economic and finance dialogue including on the following initiatives:

·        Improve and enable financial as well as encouraging banking cooperation between the EU and Iran. The EU can assist if required in addressing Anti Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) issues;

·        Explore the prospect of extendingthe third country lending mandate of the European Investment Bank (EIB) to Iran, to enhance the availability of finance for investment in Iran and possible blending (of loans with grants);

·        Cooperation in a variety of sectors with a focus in particular on encouraging regulatory and industrial policy dialogues and creating mutual opportunities, including textiles, tourism, raw materials, construction and any other areas to be mutually determined;

·        Building on EU expertise in the field of SMEs support to foster Business and in particular SMEs favourable environment in Iran and share information on the “Enterprise Europe Network”;

·        Exchange of Iran and EU business missions in the second half of the year;

·        Consider development cooperation on strengthening the private sector and SMEs in Iran;

·        Facilitate and encourage EU-Iran business sector presence in each others’ markets through a variety of measures .

Trade and investment Cooperation

The two sides strive to strengthen their bilateral cooperation on trade and investment matters. With a view torenewing a dialogue to strengthen trade and investment relations between Iran and EU, they agreed to exchange visits of expert delegations at an appropriate level in the coming months. EU will support and assist Iran to become a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Agriculture

The two sides intend to promote cooperation on agriculture and the agri-food industry with a view to exploring production and technological methods and to assisting Iranian products to meet regulatory and phytosanitary standards of the European markets.

Transport

The two sides express their commitment to a safe and sustainable development of all modes of transportation in order to support the resumption of trade, investment and citizens´ links. Specifically with respect to the safety of transport, in line with consultations already held, they intend to:

·        Perform technical assessments to remove and review restrictions on the aircraft fleet of Iran Air with regard to the EU Air Safety List, and to issue “Third Country Operator Authorization” to the Iranian air carriers that applied, provided the necessary safety requirements have been met;

·        Embark on technical cooperation in support of aviation safety in Iran;

·        Exchange views on the possibility of a horizontal agreement;

·        Exchange views and experience on rail safety and interoperability, as well as facilitation of international rail transport, including rail corridors;

·        Explore cooperation in other sectors, such as maritime, rail, road and urban transport.

Energy and climate change

Recognizing the significant potential in establishing a comprehensive cooperation in the field of energy, the two sides intend to:

·        Foster improved conditions for investments and technology exchange in the production and generation of energy, and energy efficiency; and exchange information, where needed, on legal and regulatory frameworks ;

·        Engage in initiatives which aim at strengthening the security of energy supply and demand in the region and beyond ;

·        Cooperate in multilateral fora with a view to enhancing the transparency and the functioning of the global energy market ;

·        Promote investments and encourage technological and technical exchanges to mitigate GHGs emission as well as adaptation measures through promoting energy efficiency in different sectors of the Iranian economy as well as enhancing use of renewable energies;

·        Facilitate investments in upstream and downstream projects in the energy sector of Iran.

For this purpose it is intended to launch a dedicated EU-Iran Dialogue on Energy. The objectives and modalities of such cooperation are further detailed in the Joint Statement on Energy.

Civil nuclear cooperation

With a view to contributing to the implementation of measures listed in Annex III of the JCPOA, the two sides are launching a first cooperation project in the field of nuclear safety aimed at assisting the Atomic Energy Organisation of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Iranian Nuclear Regulatory Authority through EU development assistance. In addition, the EU will share with Iran its experience acquired from stress tests carried out within the EU and in third countries. Additional options for co-operation in the civil nuclear field include joint fission and fusion research activities, as well as a possible regional nuclear safety conference and a nuclear business forum.

Environment

In recognition of the importance of protecting and conserving the environment and the role of resource efficiency in achieving green growth, and in acknowledgment of Iran’s pressing environmental challenges, the two sides intend to:

·        Establish bilateral co-operation to address air, soil and water pollution, water resources management, conservation and sustainable use of nature,  biodiversity, desertification, and waste disposal management issues;

·        Exchange experiences with a view to identifying appropriate policy responses, including projects to tackle cross-border pollution;

·        Strengthen co-operation in international environmental fora including in the framework of multilateral environmental agreements.

Civil protection

·        In support of better prevention, detection and response to disasters, including at the regional level, the two sides intend to share experiences and best practices.

Science, Research and Innovation

The two sides will foster further the science, research and innovation cooperation between the EU and Iran, including through stepping up Iran´s participation in the EU Research and Innovation Programme Horizon 2020 and its complementary EuratomProgramme. They will encourage setting up partnerships with EU counterparts, knowledge-sharing, mobility of researchers, participation in collaborative research activities in various areas. They will share experience in the areas of technology and innovation. For this a separate joint statement on science, technology, research and innovation was agreed between Commissioner Carlos Moedas and his counterpart, Dr. Mohammad Farhadi the Iranian Minister for Science, Research and Technology and Dr. SorenaSattari the Vice-President of the Islamic Republic of Iran for Science and Technology.

Education

Acknowledging the importance of developing the human dimension of EU-Iran relations, the two sides intend to further deepen their cooperation in the field of higher education. To this effect, it is recalled that the EU has earmarked an additional budget of EUR 3 million for Erasmus+ actions, to be used for cooperation with Iran in 2016 and 2017. The two sides will expand the possibilities for Iranian higher education institutions to participate in the Jean Monnet action for European integration studies. They also intend to organize relevant academic events and fairs, in Tehran towards the end of 2016 to foster cooperation between our universities and promote the participation of Iranian students and researchers and academic staff in EU programmes, particularly Erasmus+ and the Marie Sklodowska Curie action. The EU will also explore ways to allow for Iranian students to participate in Erasmus+ “credit mobility” action, which consists of short-term mobility to European and Iranian universities.

Culture

Both Iran and the EU have remarkably rich cultures and cultural heritage which makes them significant for global tourism industry. Both sides therefore will promote tourism and ecotourism plans and programs. Moreover, the two sides would share expertise in the area of conservation and restoration of archaeological and historical works of art and monuments in order to contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage and the promotion of cultural tourism. To this effect, the EU can share its expertise in the field, including through developing specific training modules. The two sides also intend to further develop cultural cooperation between EU, its Member States and Iran, including through exchanges of professionals andorganisation of events aimed at making their respective cultures better known to the people in the EU and Iran. To this effect the two sides will consider ways to improve Iran-EU cultural and art exchanges in Tehran and the European capitals. In addition, Iran and the EU consider that developing their cooperation in the field of sport constitutes a component of their engagement.

Drugs

Both sides recognized and agreed to meet the challenges for Iran resulting from opium production in the region, as well as its multiple negative side effects in the areas of drug trafficking, human trafficking, border management, law enforcement and health related aspects. Drug abuse inflicts huge damage on the societies and individuals in Europe and Iran, thus both sides have a common interest in addressing the drugs problem, both on the supply and demand side, as well as transit issues. The two sides intend to engage in consultations, exchange of experience,and expertise, including on effective and proportional criminal justice,as well as explore measures to address root causes of the problem, including poverty alleviation and reconstruction in Afghanistan, support for political stability to foster required environment for sustainable development in that country, both at multilateral and bilateral levels. Both sides share the view on the need for evidence-based, integrated, comprehensive and balanced approach in the fight against drugs.

Migration

The two sides agreed to launch a comprehensive migration dialogue and acknowledged the need to exchange information on migration management and flows as well as on policy and legislative approaches and priorities in relation to regular and irregular migration, asylum seekers and refugees, both at national and regional levels.

Regional issues

The two sides acknowledged the seriousness and urgency of addressing the volatile situation in the region. Terrorism, extremism and violence have endangered regional stability and inflicted loss of human life and resources on an unprecedented scale and have become global issues. In this context, both sides will look at ways to implement the UNGA Resolution on World Against Violence and Extremism (A/RES/128/67). They therefore consider that it is crucial to translate the positive benefits of the JCPOA into improved prospects for regional peace and stability. To this end, the two sides will engage, in a constructive and equitable manner, on regional issues with a view to building channels of dialogue, mutual trust and understanding, and in particular to fostering approaches aimed at resolving regional crises.

The two sides consider that solutions to such crises must be inclusive, peaceful and comprehensive, and above all sustainable. They stress the need for all actors to adopt constructive approaches that reinforce the principles of non-interference and the territorial integrity of states, as well as respecting the primacy of international law, including human rights.

Humanitarian Cooperation

The two sides share deep concerns on the dire humanitarian situation in the region due to the multiple conflicts. Violence and insecurity have led to the displacement of millions of people and the EU and Iran advocate all parties to the conflict to ensure the protection of vulnerable population as well as humanitarian access to the people in need. The two sides intend to enhance humanitarian coordination and humanitarian assistance delivery in respect of International Humanitarian Law in the crises affecting Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Afghanistan. The EU expresses its appreciation to Iran’s decision to include all registered Afghan refugees in the national health insurance scheme on the same basis as its own citizens and to allow all foreign children irrespective of their legal status to be enrolled in the national education system. The EU will continue to provide humanitarian and development assistance in support of health care, shelter, food security and protection for the most vulnerable. In order to meet the needs of a growing number of Afghans in Iran, the EU will make immediately available EUR 6.5 million for additional humanitarian support. Within this amount EUR 1.5 million is allocated to assist with the integration of 10,000 out of school Afghan children into the Iranian education system. Both the EU and Iran recognize the importance of working closely with the Government of Afghanistan on a common and mutually reinforcing strategy towards durable solutions. Cooperation on civil society building and strengthening of the local authorities is continuing and the two sides intend to increase this cooperation in the future.

Davutoğlu: We support Iran, Turkey banking cooperation

Davutoğlu expressed his happiness toward visiting Iranian President.

Referring to Iranian great hosting during his trip to Tehran, Turkish PM emphasized on his country’s intention to boost Iran-Turkey ties and cooperation comprehensively.
He noted that changing preferential trade agreement between Iran and Turkey to Free Trade Agreement was important.

He reiterated that existing cooperation capacities have to be developed proportional to developing relations.

The Iranian president arrived in Istanbul to attend the Summit Meeting of Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in the Turkish port city on April 13.

President Rouhani held bilateral meetings with heads of states on the sidelines of the 2-day OIC Summit meeting.

Iran, EU ready to promote bilateral cooperation

“We do not see the missile tests as a breach of the JCPOA,” she said on Saturday during a joint press conference with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Tehran.

She was referring to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the nuclear agreement reached between Iran and the P5+1 states — Russia, China, France, Britain, the US and Germany — in Vienna last July.

Mogherini, however, said “this doesn’t mean that we are not concerned.”

On March 9, Iran successfully test-fired two ballistic missiles as part of military drills to assess its defense capabilities. The missiles dubbed Qadr-H and Qadr-F were fired during large-scale drills, code-named Eqtedar-e-Velayat.

A day earlier, the country’s Armed Forces fired another ballistic missile called Qiam from silo-based launchers in different locations across the country.

The US claims that Iran’s missile tests violate the UN Security Council Resolution 2231 that endorsed the JCPOA.

Zarif, in turn, told the presser that Iran’s missile tests neither breach the JCPOA nor any United Nations Security Council resolutions as the missiles “are not designed to carry nuclear weapons.”

‘New beginning’ in Iran-EU ties

Elsewhere in the press conference, the two sides underscored their determination to promote Iran-EU bilateral relations in various areas, particularly economy, as well as cooperation on other issues of international importance.

Zarif said Mogherini’s trip to Tehran could be a “new beginning” in ties between Tehran and the 28-nation bloc.

“Today is the serious beginning in the relations between Iran and the European Union and we hope that this cooperation leads to common interests, progress and international development for the people of Iran and EU,” Zarif said.

He said economic and financial cooperation as well as the opening of a permanent EU office in Tehran is on the agenda of talks, adding that four statements are to be issued at the end of the discussions.

Referring to last July’s nuclear agreement, Zarif said Tehran and the EU “will cooperate to remove the remaining obstacles in the way of the JCPOA’s implementation.”

“We are certain that the EU’s political and economic interests lie in implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and cooperation with Iran,” the Iranian foreign minister said.

‘Diplomacy works’

The top EU diplomat, for her part, said her visit to Tehran is focused on a broad spectrum of topics from the expansion of bilateral ties to regional issues.

She further hailed the nuclear deal reached between Iran and the P5+1 states adding that the JCPOA proved “diplomacy works.”

“Iran has delivered on its side of the deal and so has the EU by lifting the sanctions,” the EU official said.

After the JCPOA went into effect on January 16, all nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran by the European Union, the Security Council and the US were lifted. Iran, in return, has put some limitations on its nuclear activities.

The EU official further said the 28-nation bloc will support the Iranian bid to join the World Trade Organization.

Mogherini has traveled to the Iranian capital on a one-day visit at the head of a high-ranking political and economic delegation comprising seven European commissioners.

Two books by 11-year-old author enter market

Nekouei told IRNA that she had started writing stories when she was only six and she is now at sixth grade in her hometown of Jahrom, southwest of Iran.
She believes reading books was an incentive for her to write stories and that she started reading before entering school. Her parents have always encouraged and helped her to read books, she noted.
She said she used to use her imaginations and plot her stories before going to school and used to narrate them to her mother who would write them while she herself illustrated the stories.
Nekouei said she authored and illustrated two other books when she was nine and that she plans to have them printed in a near future.
One of her printed works, ‘Sleepy Ant’ is a 12-page story on a heavy-eyed ant that is tired of being lazy and tries to solve its problem.
The other work, ‘Red Winger’ is an 8-page story on a butterfly that is unhappy about its red wings and wishes to have them colorful.
Jahrom is a county located 193 kilometers southeast of Shiraz.

Zarif, Mogherini hold talks in Tehran

After bilateral talks on various issues, the two are to attend a joint press briefing.

During her visit to Tehran, Mogherini is to discuss with the Iranian officials about establishment of EU permanent mission here as well as issue of Syrian crisis.

She is also scheduled to meet with senior Iranian officials later in the day.

Mogherini arrived in Tehran this morning at the head of a high-ranking political and economic delegation including seven EU commissioners in the fields of energy, scientific research, the environment, education, sports and industry.

Dizin ski resort hosts intl. snowboard competition

Iran is hosting an international snowboard competition event in Dizin ski resort, north of the capital Tehran. The competition has provided ski enthusiasts to showcase their skills and talents.

 

 

9th Traditional Food Festival

9th Iranian festival of traditional food was helf Friday at Rahyar Educational Complex, Tehran, aiming to help talented and needy students.

 

 

Why Iran Needs Ballistic Missiles: A Missile for a Missile

During the eight-year war imposed on Iran by the currently-overthrown Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, cities and residential areas, hospitals and schools across Iran, including in the capital city of Tehran, were hit by enemy missiles.

In those years, a bitter slogan came to life, and remains in people’s minds: “The response to a missile is a missile.” This slogan was what the people of Iran demanded from Iranian statesmen and military commanders during the eight-year conflict.

Iranian people, in rallies attended by thousands and even millions, shouted “A missile for a missile,” but their demands were not met, since Iran did not have missiles. The world, however, just watched. 

At the very end of 2014, US President Barack Obama highlighted this bitter truth in an interview with National Public Radio (NPR). In those days, the deal between Iran and world powers over Tehran’s nuclear energy program had not yet been signed. Obama said, “Iran suffered from a terrible war with Iraq, in which millions of their countrymen were lost. They have legitimate defense concerns.”

Kobra Asupar, in her article in Javan newspaper, revives the expression “A missile for a missile”. The article is a review of a small part of Iran’s contemporary history, and reminds Iranians of a difficult time.

Here is the full text of the article, which urges the international community to deal with Iran’s missile program in the same way as that of the US or Israel.

 

Having settled the issue of alleged concerns over Iran’s nuclear program, the US and its Arab allies are now worried about Iran’s missile program. As could be predicted, the US is preparing the grounds for a new JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action – the text of the nuclear deal finalized by Tehran and the six world powers back in July 2015]. Using media propaganda and psychological warfare, the US presented its own (and its allies’) problem with Iran’s nuclear technology as an international issue, and now that it has managed to resolve this, it is jubilantly proceeding to address the next issues. This time, it is Iran’s missile program!

Back on April 7, US Secretary of State John Kerry referred to Iran’s ballistic missile activity, and said, “We say very clearly to Iran that we’re prepared to work a new arrangement to find a peaceful solution to these issues… We look for Iran to make it clear to everybody that they are prepared to cease these kinds of activities that raise questions about credibility and questions about intention.”

It seems quite ridiculous if you think about it carefully; the world’s largest manufacturer and exporter of military equipment and weapons, and the country that enjoys the world’s most advanced missile systems is concerned by Iran’s missile program! Even more ridiculously, it expects Iran to acknowledge and understand its irrational concern, and even to voice its preparedness to resolve the problem. It is laughable that the US Secretary of State wants the intentions and objectives behind Iran’s missile program to be clarified! For what purpose is a missile used? Isn’t it clear? Of course, the US uses them aggressively, while Iran wants them for self-defence. The Americans are unaware of this; however, as mentioned, the US is seeking to internationalize its own personal problems, and those of its Arab allies, over Iran’s missile program.

The US is worried about Iran’s missile system; it has the right to be worried, because the missile system prevents Washington from realizing its objectives regarding Iran. An Iran with ballistic missiles is dramatically different from an Iran without them. With ballistic missiles, Iran would never be treated in the same way as Yemen, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Therefore, the US would have to forget about the military option which it once had on the table.

The UNSC imposed fresh sanctions against Iran’s missile program just when the nuclear deal was being celebrated in Iran

Progress and capability are terms which discourage Americans from using aggressive rhetoric against Iran. Right at the time when the nuclear deal was being celebrated in Iran, the United Nations Security Council, thanks to the ever-present concerns of a polite and smart United States, approved a resolution that imposed restrictions on Iran’s testing of ballistic missiles. This way, the JCPOA could not derail the path of the USA’s permanent hostility towards the Islamic Republic. In those days, President Hassan Rouhani’s administration did not take the resolution seriously enough, and even tried to downplay it, but as time passed, it came to be seen that the concerns over the resolution were not undue. This time, sanctions may be imposed on the country on the pretext of its missile program. The US is likely to highlight any unethical behavior, and this is what destroys the building of trust.

Nevertheless, we should not let anyone treat Iran in an especially different way. We do not have any problem; it was the West’s behaviour that taught the world, Iran in particular, that as long as aggression and hegemony dominates the world, it is not possible to establish security without homegrown military advances, particularly missiles, or else your country would be invaded militarily.

Iran learned from the West’s behaviour that security cannot be established without indigenous military advancements

For eight years, the Iranian people paid a heavy price, both physically and financially, for such global ferocity during the 1980s war imposed by Iraq. Now, we have the current conditions in Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and the like in front of us. Whatever solution the ever-concerned “global” community has found and implemented for American or Israeli missiles should be used for Iranian missiles as well. If their missile systems are dismantled, those in Iran should be treated in the same way. If they abandon their missiles, Iran would do the same, but their missile systems are upgraded on a daily basis; no one is there to stop them. They are encouraged and supported, and they are constantly making rhetorical military threats against Iran. Under such circumstances, it would be better for them to keep quiet on the Islamic Republic of Iran’s defense system. A missile for a missile, and negotiation for negotiation!

Once Washington and Tel Aviv dismantle their missiles, Iran would do the same. But until that time, they had better avoid talking about Iran’s defences.

6 people killed, gone missing in floods

‘Four people have been killed and two others have gone missing in the recent floods across the country,’ Amin Saberi-Nia said on Friday night.

Earlier on Friday, spokesman of Red Crescent Relied and Rescue Organization said that relief workers are fully ready to provide services for people affected by floods at 126 cities in 12 provinces.

Mostafa Mortazavi said that Khuzestan, Ilam, Lorestan, Isfahan, Fars, Chahar Mahal-Bakhtiari, Northern and Razavi Khorasan, East Azarbaijan, Gilan, northern Bushehr and Hamedan were marooned by flood waters after incessant heavy rains.

Some 5,600 people affected by the flood were provided with relied aid, he said, warning about the raising level of water in Karoun River after heavy rains.

President Hassan Rouhani has earlier called on Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri to mobilize all the resources available to help villagers hit by floods in Iran.

The President made the phone call on Thursday from Istanbul, Turkey, where he is attending the OIC Summit.

Rouhani was briefed on the latest measures taken in Khuzestan, Ilam, Lorestan and West Azarbaijan provinces to help the people affected by floods.

Stressing the use of all capacities available for managing the floods, President Rouhani underlined notifying the people in a timely way and urged all managers in the aforementioned provinces to cooperate with the relevant authorities.

CBI governor: Iran’s trade partners return in post-sanctions era

Valiollah Seif

‘The upgrade of Iran’s status at an international level resulted in cooperation with the foreign trade partners in the post-sanctions era,’ Seif said in a Thursday meeting with US Secretary of Treasury Jack Lew in Washington.

‘Our goal is making full use of the huge trade, investment and financial capacities of Iran in its $1.4 trillion,’ he added.

Seif reiterated that the Central Bank of Iran has had considerable progress in restoration of stability to macro economy, improvement of budget management and strengthening the banking system and it has also been successful in improving the infrastructural reforms to increase job opportunities and reducing reliance of the country’s economy on oil.