Zarif: Iran most reliable market for foreign trade partners

He made the comment on Monday afternoon, at a gathering of foreign representatives and businessmen residing in Iran.

Zarif added that imposing pressures may have a negative impact on the market, but private sector has always shown that it has the ability to progress, and to achieve its goals.

In further remarks Zarif said the Islamic Republic of Iran has gone through difficult periods since the beginning of the revolution, coping with outside pressures, embargoes and sanctions, but Iran has reached its current position of authority and power because of the resilience, steadfastness and resourcefulness of its own people.

US President Donald Trump, who took office in January 2017, declared America's withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on 8 May 2018, and ordered re-imposition of sanctions on Iran, in  90 and 180 day periods.

Now, some foreign companies are unsure about whether to stay or leave Iran's market, although the European Union and European Commission are determined to confront unilateral US sanctions by implementing "the blocking statute" to protect European businesses and companies which are active in Iran.

Zarif pointed to EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini's statement after her first meeting with foreign ministers of European member-states of JCPOA, France, Germany, Britain and called the statement an indication of existing political commitment.

After that Iran had good meetings with EU experts as well as China and Russia, who are close partners of Iran in the fields of economics, politics and security, and this cooperation is set to continue in other fields, such as banking, oil and gas trade, insurance ties, shipping, aerial transport and investments.

END