In view of the expected post-sanctions climate, Iran is set to focus efforts on promotion of constructive interaction with the world, the president says.
President Hassan Rouhani made the remark on Thursday upon arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York to attend the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, IRNA reported.
Stressing the government’s resolve to defend national interests and rights, he said, “Our negotiations [with participants at the UN summit] will revolve around practical approaches to restore lasting peace to the crisis-hit Middle East in addition to exchange of views on international concerns.”
The president said he plans to hold talks with world leaders on the latest developments in Yemen, Syria and Iraq with the aim of finding ways to ensure security in the war-torn region.
Prior to his departure from Tehran, Rouhani told reporters, “The July 14 nuclear deal with major powers [which will lift sanctions in a few months] was not only a great success for the Iranians but a remarkable achievement for international peace.”
According to Rouhani, if it were not because of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei’ guidelines and Iran’s committed representatives, such a complicated, political, technical and legal issue would never be settled.
Highlighting the fact that Iran has never advocated violence, he noted, “Iranophobia has faded away notably though not completely. World powers once accused Iran of supporting terrorism across the globe; nonetheless, they have come to the conclusion that the campaign against extremism cannot bear fruit unless Iran is involved as a major player.”
Essential Prerequisite
“Iran is a great, untapped commercial hub in the region,” Rouhani said, adding that security is an essential prerequisite for any economic development, which explains why regional states ought to unite in the fight against terrorism.
The president is scheduled to deliver two speeches at the UNGA. He will address the General Debate on September 28.
On the sidelines of the summit, Rouhani will meet UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and heads of state and hold a press conference.
The General Debate will take place from September 28 to October 6. It follows the September 15 opening of the 70th Session of the UNGA and the September 25-27 Summit for the Adoption of the Post-2015 Development Agenda.
