H.E. Mr. Hossein Panahiazar:

As I have mentioned, according to rules and regulations, food, medicines and other essentials are exempt from sanctions but unfortunately, some of the non-European parties to the sanctions are putting pressure on banks, transportation companies and so forth to create obstacles for the movement of such goods. The sanctions have some negative effects but we are changing the Iranian economy. We are trying to eliminate subsidies, which will result in higher prices. The people understand that such changes will be helpful in the long term.

The sanctions are an inconvenience for the people and the Government but we hope that through negotiations we can reach a compromise and move things forward, because the sanctions are causing suffering on both sides. Iran's trade with Europe was worth between €30 billion and €40 billion but that has now been reduced to between €10 billion and €15 billion. It is not only Iran that is suffering from the reduction in trade. European countries are selling less, which means they are producing less, which leads to job losses in Europe. Iranians and Europeans are suffering and we hope that the sanctions will be lifted soon.