Developing Iran-France ties is to the benefit of both countries, said President Rouhani in an interview with TV channel France 2 and French radio Europe 1, adding: “France’s history and culture has a special place in Iranian nation’s public opinion and France can be one of Iran’s economic, political, and cultural partner”.
Regarding his forthcoming first visit to Europe, President said: “Iran has been a party to the NPT for many years and has cooperated with the IAEA based on the Safeguards Agreement”.
“All of the IAEA reports in the past years show that Iran has cooperated well, and today, Iran is completely determined to keep to the agreements made in the JCPOA and fulfil them; provided that 5+1 show complete fulfilment of their commitments” he continued.
“Iran has never sought a nuclear bomb and we have always been after using nuclear energy peacefully. With more time passing, it will be clearer that these doubts are unnecessary and baseless and that is because the IAEA has investigated into Iran more than other countries and every time the result has shown that Iran has never deviated from its peaceful path” said Rouhani.
Answering a question about the Syrian war and Iran’s support of President Assad, President said: “It is not the matter of a person. It is the matter of the Syrian nation and the country’s security and stability, terrorism, the displaced, and human issues. These are the main points”.
He continued: “I think some people are trying to deviate us from the path with such questions. We should all try to drive terrorism out of Syria and bring stability and security back to it. Everything is in the hands of the Syrian people. Deciding who should be their leader is only with the people”.
On some European countries’ beliefs that President Assad cannot be a part of the combat against terrorism, Rouhani said: “Is it possible to fight terrorism without the presence of a strong central government in Damascus? What country has ever managed to defeat terrorism without having a strong central government? The Syrian government has to be a strong one to be able to battle terrorism.”
As an answer to the question of whether President Assad is an acceptable candidate for upcoming presidential election in Syrian, Dr Rouhani said: “We have no right to interfere with the future of an independent nation and say who should be a candidate, and who shouldn’t”.
“We want to protect security, territorial integrity, and unity in Syria and we want to create the conditions for a new democracy and reforms,” the President stated after being asked about the upcoming Vienna conference.
On his views about Israel, President said: “The Islamic Republic’s view towards the Palestinian land is clear. We are saying that a referendum would be held in Palestine with the participation of all people with different denominations, including Jews, Muslims, and Christians, to vote, results of which be respected by everybody”.
“We have repeatedly stated that we do not consider the Israeli regime legitimate and that is why we do not have any relationship with it” added Rouhani.
Asked about the idea of “the Great Satan” and “Death to America” chants, Dr Rouhani said: “As the Supreme Leader recently said, the people’s Death to American chants are not aimed at the American people or any specific person, rather it means that our people are against American interventionist policies”.
Concerning the French journalist’s question about Hijab, President Rouhani said: “In every country, there are a number of regulations which need to be respected, such as clothing regulations both for men and women. I, as a lawyer, believe that a country’s regulations should be fully respected; regulations which have been set by people’s representatives in the parliament”.
On the issue of the imprisoned journalists, Rouhani said: “One of the responsibilities of the President is implementing the constitution. In our constitution, there are many rights for the people and I will always try to implement the constitution and if I see a flaw, I will warn the related body”.
Everybody will benefit from the upcoming economic developments and the lift of sanctions, said Rouhani, adding: “Basically, we were opposed to sanctions from the beginning and we do now. They should be lifted as soon as possible. With the sanctions being lifted, our merchants and the private and public sectors will interact with the foreign private and public sectors more easily. We welcome investors from around the world and make the best use of the good conditions in Iran”.
“I have spoken with Mr Hollande on the phone about a roadmap for long-term and mid-term relations between the two countries and agreed on the principles. In our meeting on the side-lines of the UN General Assembly in New York, we stressed this issue again. Now a draft has been prepared for this trip and it will be signed by the Foreign Ministers of both countries which is based on closer relations with more development between Iran and France” said Rouhani.
At the end of the interview, President said: “I hope that the ties between the two great nations of Iran and France develop and people interact more, as well as closer relations in the areas of economy, commerce, culture, science, and technology between Iran and France establish”.