Iran, UK must make up for lost ground after JCPOA: Rouhani

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the Islamic Republic has kept to the nuclear agreement it signed with the P5+1 group of countries last year, stressing that with implementation of the deal, Iran and Britain must now make up for lost opportunities.

In a meeting with the new British Ambassador to Tehran Nicholas Hopton on Monday, Rouhani added that all sides to the nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), should completely fulfill their obligations.

“After the JCPOA, we need to make up for the lost opportunities in the past and this requires the development of economic, scientific, cultural and political relations,” the Iranian president stated.

He also stressed the importance of the complete resumption of banking relations under the JCPOA.

It is important to upgrade the level of relations between Iran and Britain as two important countries, he said and added that the two sides have been expanding the ties over the recent years and can speed up such a process by making use of the available potentialities.

Rouhani noted that the conclusion of the JCPOA through the efforts of seven countries “carries this positive message to the world that differences can be solved through diplomatic [approaches].”

Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia – plus Germany signed the JCPOA on July 14, 2015.

Under the nuclear deal, Iran undertook to put limitations on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related bans imposed against Tehran.

Since January, the IAEA, which is tasked with overseeing the implementation of the JCPOA, has released regular reports confirming the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear activities and Tehran’s commitment to the agreement.

‘Iran, Britain will hold banking negotiations soon’

Hopton, who submitted his credentials to the Iranian president, said his country’s banks and companies are very keen to cooperate with Iran.

He added that representatives of the Central Bank of Iran and the Bank of England would hold talks in the near future.

Despite the JCPOA having officially gone into effect on January 16, many large European banks still refrain from engaging in transactions with Iran for the fear of US sanctions.

US Secretary of State John Kerry on May 19 met with EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and foreign ministers from France, Germany and the UK in Brussels, where they pledged to encourage companies to resume trade with Iran.

In a statement on the same day, the US, Britain, France and Germany said they were exploring various areas of cooperation with Iran, including the use of exports credits to boost trade, project financing and investment in Iran.

‘Iran, Sweden must up ties to serve two nations’ interests’

Meanwhile in a meeting with the new Swedish Ambassador to Tehran Helena Sangeland on Monday, the Iranian president said the implementation of the JCPOA has created a “very appropriate” opportunity for Iran and Sweden to improve bilateral, regional and international relations to serve the two nations’ interests.

Rouhani added that the two countries must make use of all of their capacities to develop economic relations, particularly in energy and industry sectors.

He pointed to Stockholm’s balanced stance on regional and international developments and said, “Sweden can properly play its constructive role in improving relations between Tehran and the European Union.”

Sangeland also submitted her credentials to the Iranian president and said the JCPOA's implementation led to unique opportunities for the expansion of relations.

She expressed the willingness of Swedish companies and banks to cooperate with Iran.

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