The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Mohammad Javad Zarif

  • We are learning from Iran’s diversification experience – Buhari

    We are learning from Iran’s diversification experience – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday said the Federal Government is working assiduously to ameliorate the challenges faced by the Nigerian economy within a short period by studying the experiences of countries like Iran which thrived in adversity.

    He made the remark while receiving a Special Envoy of the Iranian President, Mohammad Javad Zarif, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Buhari, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said the Iranian economy remained an inspiration for Nigeria in the deployment of technology to harness and export gas, grow food for the populace and promote entrepreneurship.

    He said: “The progress made by Iran within a short period of 30 years is really commendable. Within the period, you have been able to harness gas flaring, and you are now exporting. You have recorded strides in security, manufacturing, agriculture and technology.

    “You have also achieved a lot in nuclear research. I must also congratulate you for successfully negotiating with America and the European countries on the development of your nuclear energy.”

    He noted that Nigeria had all the potentials for growing into a great economy through more inclusive planning, consistency in government policies and commitment to the realization of development targets.

    He added: “In Nigeria, we are learning. We are learning the hard way through hardship, and we are learning very quickly on how to explore other sectors of the economy like gas, solid minerals and agriculture for growth.

    “We are grateful for your support and cooperation in opening up the Nigerian economy for diversification.”

    In his remark, the Iranian envoy, who is also the Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the Iranian government would support the ongoing restructuring of the Nigerian economy.

     

  • Iran condemns attack on Nigeria’s Shi’ite sect

    Iran condemns attack on Nigeria’s Shi’ite sect

    … 60 killed in army raids on sect – Hospital

    The Iranian government has condemned the Nigerian Army attack on the Shi’ite sect and summoned the country’s representative in the country.

    The country’s new agency reported that Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called on the Nigerian government to take “prompt and serious” action on the matter.

    Meanwhile, at least 60 people were killed last weekend when the army raided a Shi’ite sect and arrested its leader in the northern in Zaria, the director of a local hospital told Reuters on Monday.

    The army said the Islamic Movement was trying to assassinate the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, when members of the sect blocked his convoy in Zaria on Saturday. The sect was conducting an annual ritual to usher in the month of Maulud, the birth month of the Prophet Mohammed.

    On Sunday, the army raided several buildings connected to the sect and the home of its leader, Ibrahim Zakzaky. They arrested him and killed key members of the group, including Zakzaky’s second-in-command and spokesman.

    “As of yesterday, we had 60 corpses in our morgue,” Khalid Lawal, the Chief Medical Director of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, told Reuters by phone.

     

  • ‘Historic’ agreement struck on Iran nuclear programme

    ‘Historic’ agreement struck on Iran nuclear programme

    World powers have reached a deal with Iran on limiting the country nuclear activity in return for the lifting of international economic sanctions.

    Iran’s foreign minister called the agreement “historic.”

    The European Union negotiator hailed it as “a sign of hope.”

    The deal reportedly gives United Nations nuclear inspectors extensive but not automatic access to sites within Iran, the BBC reports.

    Negotiations between Iran and six world powers – the United States, United Kingdom, France, China and Russia plus Germany – began in 2006.

    The so-called P5+1 want Iran to scale back its sensitive nuclear activities to ensure that it cannot build a nuclear weapon.

    Iran, which wants crippling international sanctions lifted, has always insisted that its nuclear work is peaceful.

    EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, said the deal was “a sign of hope for the entire world.”

    “It is a decision that can open the way to a new chapter in international relations,” she said, ahead of a final meeting between negotiators in Vienna.

    Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, said the deal was “not perfect for anybody,” but that it was the “best achievement possible that could be reached.”

    Iran’s President, Hassan Rouhani, tweeted: “With this unnecessary crisis resolved, new horizons emerge with a focus on shared challenges.”

    The text of the deal has not been released but these are some of the details it is believed to contain:

    A compromise over the inspection of sites within Iran, the Associated Press quoted a diplomat as saying – UN inspectors would be allowed to monitor military sites but Iran could challenge requests for access

    Iran has accepted that sanctions could be restored in 65 days if it violates the deal, Reuters cited diplomats as saying

     

  • Iran nuclear negotiators to start work on final accord

    Iran nuclear negotiators to start work on final accord

    Talks between six world powers and Iran on the country’s controversial nuclear programme are to resume in Vienna.

    Negotiators are expected to begin trying to draft an agreement that will provide a comprehensive solution to the Iranian nuclear issue.

    Although meetings have been held since February, correspondents say nothing of substance has yet been agreed.

    Both sides hope to build on an interim deal that saw uranium enrichment curbed by Iran in return for sanctions relief.

    The accord – which was signed in Geneva in November but only took effect in January – gives them until late July to agree a comprehensive solution, although that deadline can be extended by mutual consent.

    The world powers want Iran to scale back its sensitive nuclear activities permanently to ensure that it cannot assemble a nuclear weapon.

    But Iran says its nuclear work, which it insists is peaceful, will continue – and wants an end to the sanctions that have crippled its economy.

    The four days of talks between Iran and the P5+1 – the US, UK, France, China and Russia plus Germany – will begin with a working dinner at Vienna’s Palais Coburg hotel for Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.

    Diplomats say there is political will on both sides to reach an agreement, but that it will be very difficult to overcome differences on three key issues: Iran’s uranium enrichment capacity, the heavy-water reactor at Arak and the possible military dimensions of Iran’s nuclear programme.