Xi, Macron back diplomatic solution to Iranian nuclear deal

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
7 Apr 2023 21:05
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Chinese leader Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron consider the 2015 nuclear agreement a triumph for multilateral diplomacy, as per a joint statement.

Xi and Macron shake hands at a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People. (Reuters)

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed on Friday their commitment to resolve the stalemate in reviving the Iran nuclear deal through diplomacy.

In a joint declaration, the two presidents said, "France and China reiterate their commitment to promoting a political and diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue."

China and France further considered the 2015 nuclear agreement a triumph for multilateral diplomacy, as per the statement.

Additionally, Xi and Macron reaffirmed their support for the UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, and their commitment to the full implementation of the Security Council resolution obligating states to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons, the statement concluded.

The nuclear deal was sealed in 2015 by China, France, Germany, Iran, Russia, the UK, and the US, as well as the EU. But in 2018, the US unilaterally withdrew from the deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran, to which the latter responded by gradually dropping its own obligations under the deal. Following the change of power in the White House, the world powers resumed talks on the revival of the JCPOA.

It is worth noting that Macron traveled to Beijing on Wednesday with high hopes for a potential breakthrough in his efforts to work with China to find ways to put an end to the war in Ukraine.

Ukraine tops the agenda, but Macron's trip also has a strong economic focus as well. The French President is in China with a delegation of about 50 business executives, and some of them are expected to close or even sign new business deals while they are there.

Macron will continue his state visit on Friday by traveling to Guangzhou, a major commercial center in southern China, where he will reportedly dine with Xi, as per an Elysee source.