TEHRAN,Iran, July 13
Trend:
The 25-year agreement between Iran and China would have a positive effect on Iran's economy, the head of Iran-China Chamber of Commerce Majid Reza Hariri told Trend.
"So far there has not been any agreement and this topic is just a plan that was suggested by Iran to China. Naturally it is considered in terms of Iran's national interests and its economy. The economic growth depends on economic capacities. So this plan is just a tool.
"If this plan leads to an agreement, it could have a positive effect on Iran's economy and resolve the recession. Iran's economic growth has slowed down, so there should be solutions to move from this situation," he said.
"If other countries want to cooperate with Iran, we would be ready and now it could be agreement with China. Iran needs foreign investments and technology to have sustainable economic growth that would be more than 7 percent," Hariri said.
"Iran could not rely on domestic production or slogan of self-sufficiency alone, it needs cooperation," he said.
"The economic relations are two-sided and it's natural that Iran and China economic ties would be bilateral. China needs Iran as a sustainable source of energy for the future while Iran needs a practical customer for its energy," he said.
"Some claim that China would colonize Iran with this agreement but these comments are based on political disagreements. They're baseless," he added.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry offered a description of a 25-year cooperation agreement with China, saying some rumors about the document are so ridiculous that do not even merit a denial.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Abbas Mousavi on Wednesday released a statement in response to a barrage of false claims raised online about the roadmap to 25-year cooperation between Iran and China.