Iran to buy Chinese aircraft to equip air fleet

Iran Mania:

Iranian charge d'affaires in China, Farhad Asadi said that talks are currently underway between Iran and independent states such as China on the prospect of purchasing aircraft to equip the country's air fleet, IRNA said. READ MORE

Speaking to China Youth daily, Asadi referred to US sanctions and recent crash of C-130 plane resulting in the martyrdom of a number of media persons and said that this is a historical shame for Washington to witness that a nation does not bow to its illegal demands despite attempts to suppress it.

"Sanctions against a nation on various issues such as non-military aircraft parts can be pursued at the international level," he added.

In response to a question on whether Iran will use Chinese planes in its air fleet, he noted that Iran intends to procure its requirement from independent and friendly countries.

He added that talks are currently underway on the issue and that any kind of cooperation in this respect will be welcomed.

Concerning collaboration and mutual relations in 2006, Asadi said that the two states currently enjoy the most favorable ties and referred to China as Iran's best trade partner.

"Iran and China have potentials for long-term collaboration based on mutual confidence and safeguarding each other's interests.

Iran's foreign policy outlook as an Asian country contributes to development of mutual relations and understanding.

"Bilateral agreements on cooperation in the oil and gas sector will result in several-billion-dollar revenue over the next 25 years.

Besides implementation of dozens of minor and major industrial projects in Iran by Chinese enterprises mark the significance of such relations in economic and trade fields," he added.

Asadi noted that political understanding and commonalties between the two states such as emphasis on the pivotal role of the UN in international affairs, opposition to the use of force, resolving discords through peaceful ways and focusing on the idea of a multipolar world provide the most suitable grounds for such cooperation at the regional and international levels.

He predicted that trade exchanges between the two sides will exceed 10 billion dollars in the near future.

Turning to Iran as the tourist destination of Chinese people in 2005, he said that this is a factor contributing to further bolstering of relations.

Replying to a question about Iran's domestic and foreign policies, he said that the country's domestic policy is based on improving the living conditions of people from all walks of life, fair distribution of wealth, promoting cultural principles as well as national and Islamic values, further transparency in the performance of various state sectors and safeguarding people's financial and social rights.

"On the other hand, Iran's foreign policy is based on respect for independence and territorial integrity of all countries, non-interference in their internal affairs, expansion of friendship as well as material and spiritual cooperation with them.

"Negotiation is Iran's foremost option for settlement of difference of opinions based on mutual respect and safeguarding of bilateral interests. We are strongly against production and promotion of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, international criminal acts and drug trafficking," he concluded.