Raisi to Macron: Ready to conclude fair, sustainable agreement

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
20 Sep 20:16
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The Iranian President considers that Europe must demonstrate practically that its policies are independent and do not follow American policies.

French President Emmanuel Macron with his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi (Getty Images)

French President Emmanuel Macron held Tuesday a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi, with the French leader saying he hoped to be able to "discuss all subjects."

During the meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Raisi expressed Iran's readiness to conclude a fair and sustainable agreement with the world powers.

He also stressed that Europe must demonstrate practically that its policies are independent and do not follow American policies, pointing out that Iran's demand for guarantees - in light of the previous unilateral withdrawal of the US from the nuclear deal - is completely logical and reasonable.

Raisi considered that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) must adopt a technical approach away from the pressures and dictations of others, adding that Tehran believes that an agreement cannot be reached without closing Iran's files in the IAEA.

On his part, Macron said Iran and the IAEA can solve the remaining problems, claiming that France will not exert political pressure on the agency in this regard.

The French President said, "We can focus on strengthening our bilateral relationship, economic issues, and the situation in the region."

Iranian news agency IRNA reported that Macron extended to his Iranian counterpart during their meeting in New York, a formal invitation to visit France.

The meeting is the Iranian President's first head-to-head with a major Western leader since he was elected last year. It comes amid a complete "stalemate" to revive the 2015 nuclear talks.

On Monday, France said there would not be a better offer for Iran to revive a nuclear deal with world powers, claiming that it was up to Tehran to make a decision now.

On his part, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who coordinates the talks, indicated that he saw little chance of progress at the United Nations General Assembly.

Guterres may discuss nuclear deal with Tehran UNGA delegation

In a similar context, UN Secretary-General's Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Monday that Guterres may end up discussing the Iran nuclear deal with the Iranian delegation to the UN during the General Assembly this week.

"I think so," Dujarric told a briefing when asked if Guterres and the Iranian delegation would be discussing the Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Dujarric added that Guterres previously spoke with Iranian authorities and other parties concerned about the need for all to show flexibility and move forward with the deal.

"I have no doubt that they will come up to these discussions again," he said, adding that the UN hopes for a peaceful resolution.

"We very much hope that dialogue can continue and they can find consensus and move forward," Dujarric mentioned.

Raisi rules out meeting with Biden on sidelines of UNGA

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi arrived on Monday in New York to attend the 77th session of the UN General Assembly.

In an interview for CBS News' 60 Minutes program, Raisi was asked whether he was open to a meeting vis-à-vis US President Joe Biden, to which he replied, "I do not think that such a meeting is going to take place," adding, "I don't believe having a meeting or a talk with him will be beneficial."

It is worth recalling that the US withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers back in May 2018 under Trump's presidential term, after which he revived sanctions on Iran as part of the “maximum pressure” campaign he launched against the country and which Biden continues to impose. His administration, however, has repeatedly admitted that the policy has been a mistake and a failure.

At the beginning of his presidential campaign, Biden voiced his intentions to bring the US back into the deal but there has been no sign of that, and the US has even imposed more sanctions on Iran, such as the latest concerning Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security and Minister Esmail Khatib, after Washington accused Tehran of being behind an alleged cyberattack against NATO ally Albania, which Iran denied.