President Xi’s visit to Iran historic event: Rouhani

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January 23, 2016

“The important visit by … President Xi Jinping…marks an important historic event and I am sure that a new chapter has started in relations between Iran and China,” Rouhani said alongside Xi in Tehran on Saturday.

Rouhani said that the Islamic Republic welcomes stronger ties with China particularly after the recent lifting of international sanctions on Iran.

He also said Iran and China have agreed on more cooperation to “combat regional terrorism.”

He said he and his Chinese counterpart discussed cooperation for “creating stability and security in the Middle East and helping countries plagued by terrorism, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Yemen, and providing intellectual and intelligence assistance in the fight on terrorism.”

For his part, Xi said he has traveled to Iran to prepare the ground for a new “prospect in relations between the two countries.”

He noted that Iran-China strong cooperation will not only benefit the governments and nations of the two countries, but also would serve “regional and global peace.”

Xi said he seeks “strategic ties with Iran”, particularly in energy market.

China, a top oil consumer, has been a top buyer of Iran’s crude. Even after international sanctions targeted Tehran’s energy sector, China continued its cooperation with Iran by purchasing oil and developing energy projects.

Iran and China signed 17 documents for cooperation in economic, industrial, cultural and judicial fields in the presence of the two countries’ presidents.

The documents included one signed between Iranian and Chinese nuclear chiefs for peaceful energy cooperation.

Others involved documents for environmental cooperation, financing of a bullet train railway and banking cooperation.

The Chinese president’s trip to Tehran is the last leg of his three-nation tour which has also taken him to Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

The value of trade transactions between Tehran and Beijing stood at some $52 billion in 2014. However, the figure dropped in 2015 due to decreasing oil prices.

China remains Iran’s top trade partner. According to China’s Commerce Department, during the first 11 months of 2015, China imported 24.36 million tons of crude oil from Iran, or 8 percent of its total imports.

China’s oil companies have also been increasing investment in oil projects overseas.

Following the recent removal of sanctions, Iran is once again open to global business, which makes the market more competitive as many global companies are already moving to resume trade with Iran.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Jan 23

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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January 23, 2016

Chinese President’s Tehran visit and ongoing crises in the Middle East. Iranian President’s calls on the Guardian Council to hold a wholesome election in accordance with the law and exceptions in the new US visa law regarding Iranian traders took most of the headlines on January 23, 2016.

Abrar:

1- Japan lifts Iran sanctions

2- Kerry in Davos: John Kerry: The world is safer thanks to Iran deal

3- U.S. approves nearly $2 bln in weapons for Iraqi F-16 fighter jets

4- Sudden combustion of bus with 71 onboard

5- Al Nusra ringleader killed in Syria

6- 22,000 Islamic State jihadists have been killed by coalition, France claims

7- Pentagon has given new authority to target ISIS in Afghanistan

Afkar:

1- Stem cells used to treat nyctalopia

2- Income of IRR 1.5m, line of poverty in Iran

3- Al-Shaba terrorists strike capital in Somalia

Arman-e emrouz:

1- Rafsanjani: Disregarding people’s will is dangerous

Head of Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Rafasanjani said a high turnout in the upcoming elections ensures their soundness.

2- Subway suicide in vogue

4 persons killed themselves in Tehran’s subway over the course of the past 30 days.

3- Rouhani: Framework of law, not taste

Voicing his elections concerns, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the parliament is the house of the nation, rather than being the haven for a certain party. He also said the nation is the real entity eligible to decide about the quality of the candidates. He also warned authorities against disappointing people.

4- Chinese president in Tehran after 14 years

Iran’s man Friday under sanctions posed as mediator

An article on the changing role of China which acted as a faithful friend to Iran when Tehran was under the sanctions, to a mediator between Iran-Saudi peace process.

Asrar:

1- EU in telephone diplomacy: Iran-Saudi tension political, not religious

EU foreign relations chief Federica Mogherini has urged Saudi Arabia and Iran to avoid escalation over the Saudi execution of a Shia Muslim cleric.

2- Rafsanjani calls on allowing participation of all political factions in elections

3- Zarif in Davos: From talks with Kerry to warnings to Riyadh

4- President: Iran reached all major goals in Nuclear deal

5- Rouhani calls for partisan political system in Iran

6- MP calls on parliament to combat corruption in post-sanctions area

7- Iran Minister to incoming carmakers: Forget about Iran presence without exports in mind

Ebtekar:

1- Sanctions partner in Tehran

A report on Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Tehran visit to broker détente between Tehran and Riyadh.

2- US seeks Iran help

During a meeting between Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif with his American counter, the former called for Iran’s help to contain the ongoing crisis in Syrai.

3- A report by Ebtekar on the impact of sanctions removal on Iran’s election campaigns. In February Iranians will come to ballots to vote for their parliament candidates.

Emtiaz:

1- 26% rise in 9-month discovery of smuggled goods

2- Torrent of foreign banks’ liquidity to Iran

Etemad:

– Chinese president in Tehran; all Iranian ministries will be involved in new ties with Chinese counterparts in what meant by Beijing to promote Iran-China ties to a strategic level.

Ettela’at:

1- Iran inflation rate at 12.2 in Dec 22-Jan 21 period

2- Zarif in Davos: Iran missile program internal matter

3- Culture Minister: Iran-Sino media ties can boost resistance against western media domination

4- Veteran linguist Abulhassan Najafi dies at 86

Hemayat:

– People of Shiraz in a glorious funeral of Sacred Defense martyrs

Iran:

1- 5 fresh openings in Iran foreign trade;

Japan lifts Iran sanctions; South Korea ready for up to $2b trade insurance with Iran; German carmakers heading to Iran; US State Department waivers visa ban on Iranian traders; Iran to export $2b worth of natural gas to Oman

2- Access of Iran universities allowed to int’l resources as sanctions lifted

3- Chinese President: 1^st high-profile Iran guest in post-sanctions

Javan:

1- Netanyahu: Saudi Arabia, Israel ally

2- Olympic medalist: Leader’s ring more valuable than all my medals

Keyhan:

1- Leader: Determination, nonstop hard work, only way to rendering enemy plots barren

Iran’s Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Seyyed Ali Khamenei told Islamic communities in Europe.

2- Analytic study: People expect fulfillment of promises; admin eyes moderate parliament

3- Funeral of 4 Yemeni martyrs in northern Iran

Khorasan:

– Tehran, Beijing sign cooperation document

Rah-e mardom:

– Editorial: Stories to learn from recent Saudi behavior

Resalat:

1- Diplomat: Research results of Mina disaster to be released soon

2- President: We favor moderates in parliament

3- Cmdr.Soleimani: Thousands of Haram defenders guarding Islamic boundaries

4- Senate’s new excuse for fresh sanctions on Iran; Senate presses White House to impose new sanctions on Iran for arresting US marines in Iranian waters

Roozan:

– 600-member Chinese delegations in Tehran

Rooyesh Mellat:

1- Araqchi: Some countries seek entente

2- Troubles of European power plant developers in Iran; an interview with Hamid Chitchian, minister of power.

Shahrvand:

– Interior Ministry: Report of Saudi embassy attack in Tehran ready for submission to Leader

Iran main taker company envisages bourse listing

By

Golrokh Askarieh

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January 23, 2016

Nasrollah Sardashti, commercial director of the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC), told The Wall Street Journal that the company is considering “seeking qualification to list of the Tehran Stock Exchange and later outside” Iran to finance a major development program.

NITC’s managing director, Ali Akbar Safaei, also told the newspaper that the company and its shareholders hope to enter the liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector.

He explained that the shareholders would invest in projects extracting natural gas while NITC would provide LNG transportation.

NITC has received a request for a tanker to sail to the EU, the first by an Iranian oil tanker since sanctions were imposed on the country three years ago.

The sanctions were lifted on January 16 as Iran’s nuclear deal with six world powers took effect.

Safaei also said NITC was in talks with large international shipping insurers to obtain cover.

NITC owns 69 tankers able to carry 15.5 million tons of crude.

The EU plans to send around 15 EU officials to Tehran in February to explore energy ties with Iran, European Climate and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete said one day after Iran received sanctions relief.

The “technical assessment mission” includes the initial four-day technical visit after which high-level commission staff, possibly with a business delegation, will travel to Iran.

Potential areas for cooperation include all areas of energy ranging from nuclear, oil, gas and renewable energy to energy efficiency, Arias Canete said.

In particular, he mentioned developing liquefied natural gas and also pipeline shipments through a route the European Union refers to as the “Southern Gas Corridor” to carry supplies into southern Europe.

The Europeans are also trying to recover the ground they have lost in Iran. Before the sanctions, the bloc’s annual trade with Iran stood at 27.8 billion euros, which fell to 7.6 billion euros in 2014.

Canada jet maker eyes Iran despite strains

By

Golrokh Askarieh

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January 23, 2016

Bombardier officials have reportedly made two visits to Iran in the past six months to assess the business climate in anticipation of the post-sanctions world, according to CBC News.
“We do have a commercial aircraft forecast and strategy team that’s been taking into account significant opportunities in Iran,” said Marianella Delabarrera, the communications manager for Bombardier’s commercial aircraft division.
Delabarrera said her company sees opportunities in the single-aisle regional jet and the longer range C Series plane, which would allow Iranian carriers to operate domestic routes and flights throughout the Middle East.
New aircraft sales would help Bombardier, which received a $1-billion lifeline from the Quebec government last year.
Iran’s capital, Tehran, is also upgrading its rail services, and Bombardier’s transportation division is also looking into that market.
The former Canadian government of Stephen Harper closed Canada’s Embassy in Tehran in 2012, leaving no Canadian trade officials in the country to help businesses navigate Iranian regulations and market conditions.
While the US and Europe have lifted sanctions related to Iran’s nuclear industry, Canada has not, effectively blocking most Canadian trade in a wide variety of industries, including oil and gas, transportation and communications.
Global Affairs Canada said a review of Canada’s sanctions regime is underway. Federal ministers have hinted that will happen sooner rather than later, so Canadian businesses aren’t left out in the cold, Financial Tribune reported.
Years of sanctions have left Iran’s civil air fleet dilapidated and in need of major renewal. Iran’s minister of roads and urban development announced on Saturday that Iran has agreed to buy 114 aircraft from the European-based manufacturing consortium Airbus.

China’s leader seeks ‘new chapter’ in ties with Iran

By

Emad Askarieh

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January 23, 2016

Xi, who arrived in Tehran on Friday night, was officially welcomed by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday.

The Chinese leader, who made great contribution to the signature of Iran’s landmark deal with world powers last July, hopes to further boost his country’s traditional friendship and economic engagement with Iran.

China, a top oil consumer, has been a top buyer of Iran’s crude. Even after international sanctions targeted Tehran’s energy sector, China continued its cooperation with Iran by purchasing oil and developing energy projects.

Upon arrival in Tehran, Xi said that Iran and China, whose friendship dates back to 2,000 years ago, have made important contribution to human progress.

He said establishment of political relations between Iran and China have resulted in important achievements in the political, economic and cultural sectors.

Iran and China are set to sign 17 documents for cooperation in economic, industrial, cultural and judicial fields in the presence of the two countries’ presidents.

The Chinese president’s trip to Tehran is the last leg of his three-nation tour which has also taken him to Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

The value of trade transactions between Tehran and Beijing stood at some $52 billion in 2014. However, the figure dropped in 2015 due to decreasing oil prices.

‘New chapter’

Xi said, “In cooperation with the Iranian side and by benefiting from the current favorable conditions, China is ready to upgrade the level of bilateral relations and cooperation so that a new chapter will start in bilateral relations on the long term.”

He noted that the two countries have been on the same wavelength with regard to regional and international affairs.

During his visit, Xi is scheduled to hold talks with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

China remains Iran’s top trade partner. According to China’s Commerce Department, during the first 11 months of 2015, China imported 24.36 million tons of crude oil from Iran, or 8 percent of its total imports.

China’s oil companies have also been increasing investment in oil projects overseas.

The North Azadegan Oil Field, located along Iran-Iraq border, is one example of cooperation projects led by China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).

Following the recent removal of sanctions, Iran is once again open to global business, which makes the market more competitive as many global companies are already moving to resume trade with Iran.

China’s leader seeks ‘new chapter’ in ties with Iran

By

Golrokh Askarieh

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January 23, 2016