Dutch envoy: Europe still following up INSTEX

Tehran, April 13, IRNA – The Netherlands Ambassador to Iran Jacques Werner said the European Union is a still a partner for Iran nuclear deal and is following up the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX) to continue financial transactions. Speaking to IRNA, Werner said despite new sanctions against Iran and the US withdrawal from Iran Deal also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Europe is still complying with its commitments. He expressed hope for maintaining joint cooperation with Iran since he believes that the Netherlands is a potential country in the field of agricultural and food products. Referring to the fact that Netherlands' agricultural sector enjoys technical knowledge, technology and innovation which can be transferred to Iran, Werner said his country is aimed at preserving trade ties with Iran by sharing experiences. Elaborating on Iran agricultural capacities, he said Iran is a big market and its technological infrastructures are suitable for developing agricultural sector. Elsewhere in his remarks, Werner vowed to facilitate relations between Iran and Dutch companies. He also pointed to climate change that may affect agricultural products and exports, saying the Dutch diplomatic mission in Tehran is ready to establish joint cooperation for developing Iranian agricultural products. Expressing regret over recent floods in the Iranian cities, Werner aid the Netherlands has knowledge and technology for confronting natural disasters. On May 8, 2018, Trump withdrew from the JCPOA, which was condemned by other parties to the 2015 agreement. INSTEX was adopted by foreign ministers of the European trio on the sidelines of a European Union summit in the Romanian capital Bucharest on January 1. INSTEX has been registered at the address of France's Economy and Finance Ministry in Paris. German banker Per Fischer has been chosen for a period of six months to run it. Also, a senior UK diplomat is expected to head the Supervisory Board. Earlier, INSTEX president Per Fischer visited Iran to hold talks with Iranian stakeholders in a bid to work out details of the payment channel. Trump's choice has faced opposition of the international community; namely Russia, China, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the European Union Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini. Director General of the IAEA Yukiya Amano underlined the fact that Iran has complied with its commitments under the nuclear deal. Emphasizing the fact that the agency will continue to verify the non-diversion of nuclear material declared by Iran under its NPT Safeguards Agreement, the IAEA chief said, 'The implementation in Iran of the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, Additional Protocol, and additional transparency measures under the JCPOA amounts to the most robust verification system in existence any here in the world.' Follow us on Twitter @IrnaEnglish