Chinese FM urges parties involved to honor nuke deal promises

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks to journalists in front of the Palais Coburg hotel, the venue for nuclear talks in Vienna, Austria, July 13, 2015.  [Photo/Xinhua]

VIENNA - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday urged all parties involved in the Iranian nuclear deal to honor the promises they made in the landmark agreement.

"Today is a historic day... as the 13-year marathon (of Iranian nuclear talks) finally got over the finish line," Wang told a press conference here after a comprehensive deal was clinched between Iran and the P5+1 group, namely Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany.

"China played a unique and constructive role" during the Iranian nuclear talks, Wang said, pointing out that "the agreement is just a start."

"The main challenge facing the comprehensive agreement is whether or not the deal could be implemented properly and thoroughly," the Chinese minister said.

There would be a 10-year process to implement the deal, during which all sides should build and consolidate mutual trust, which is the basis of the implementation, Wang said.

The Chinese minister called on all parties involved to honor their promises and fully implement the provisions of the agreement so as to contribute their own parts in safeguarding world peace, promoting regional stability and improving relations among the countries.

Meanwhile, Wang said that the agreement will safeguard the global nuclear non-proliferation system and proves the world can solve pressing issues though negotiation.

"The parties involved enter into a binding international agreement," under which Iran is entitled to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, but makes political commitments not to develop or acquire a nuclear weapon, said Wang, adding that the agreement will herald major changes in Iran's relations with other countries.

He said the comprehensive agreement, which embodied the spirit of win-win and multi-win, proved the importance of the principle of seeking political resolutions.

The outcome of the Iranian nuclear talks showed that dialogue and negotiation are the only correct and feasible way to solve major disputes between countries, no matter how thorny and complex the issue may be, Wang said.

Moreover, Wang said the agreement could also serve as a positive reference for the handling of other regional hot spots, including the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

The minister said that China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, is well aware of its responsibilities and obligations for world peace and security, and the country had always played a constructive role throughout the negotiation process with Iran.

"There are lots of work to be done when it comes to the implementation of the comprehensive agreement, and China will continue to take a responsible attitude and make new contributions in the following process," Wang said.