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China, Russia, emerging powers to take centerstage in Iran’s foreign policy: Araqchi
“China, Russia and other countries that sided with Iran while the country was subject to US sanctions as well as emerging powers are the priorities of foreign relations in the upcoming government,” Araqchi said as he outlined his plans if approved by lawmakers as Iran’s top diplomat, according to IRNA.
“New arenas in Africa, Latin America, and East Asia are also among the foreign policy priorities. If Europe rectifies its wrong and hostile behaviors toward the Islamic Republic of Iran, it will be placed on our priority list,” he added.
The career diplomat said that he will pursue three primary missions in his role as foreign minister: securing national interests and enhancing national wealth; consolidating national security and preserving and promoting national dignity and prestige.
According to the Foreign Ministry designate, distinct plans have been developed for each mission. Among the proposed plans, eight key areas were of paramount importance to the nominee and his advisors.
Iran’s strategic standing, wealth creation, Iran’s border status, active global presence, good neighborliness, lifting of sanctions, parliamentary diplomacy, and Iran’s dignity were among the areas that Araqchi elaborated on.
He said that the country’s policy towards the US will be one of “managing animosity.”
Meanwhile, Araqchi said that, “Removal of US sanctions on Iran is a top priority for the government.”
He said the ministry will continue the path of supporting the Axis of Resistance and Palestine.
In this session, which was the second public meeting of the parliament to review the qualifications of the proposed ministers by President Masoud Pezeshkian, the lawmakers delivered speeches both in opposition to and in support of Araqchi’s plans.
In opposition to the Foreign Ministry nominee, Mohammadreza Sabbaghian Bafqi and Amir Hossein Sabeti criticized Araqchi’s performance in negotiations related to 2015 nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA.
Sabeti described the text of the Iran nuclear deal as detrimental and questioned the revival of the deal, while Sabbaghian questioned Araqchi for signing “a one-sided” deal.
Meysam Zohourian delivered a speech in opposition to Araqchi’s plans, criticizing him for “immature” positions on economic and political issues.
“Araqchi held positions that tied the livelihood of the people to the will of foreigners. He has repeatedly stated that the FATF issue must be resolved in order to continue negotiations with Europe,” Zohourian argued.
In support of the qualifications of the proposed minister of foreign affairs, Ahmad Azadi-Khah stated that policy-making is not the job of the minister. If we have objections to the policies, they are made elsewhere, and the minister is just an executor.
He added that Araqchi was a member of Iran’s nuclear negotiation team. If we have any issues or ambiguities regarding the policies, we should direct our criticisms elsewhere.
Hadi Qavami was another parliamentarian that delivered a speech in support of Araqchi’s plans, saying, “Economic growth cannot be achieved through slogans, and Araqchi has plans for this important matter.”
Qavami emphasized that to achieve “the 8% growth projected in the five-year development plan, we need $200b in investments, a portion of which will come from foreign investment. This cannot be achieved through slogans”.