FT：美国退出伊核协议后，欧洲或者更准确的说是欧元区过去几年正积极推动欧元成为国际货币。您认为欧元能否成为与美元相抗衡的货币？还是说，不管欧洲有多大雄心，全球金融体系仍将被美元主导？

　　张明：经过21年发展，欧元已成为全球经济贸易结算的重要货币。在世界多极化发展趋势下，推动全球金融货币体系的多元化是一件好事。

　　我注意到欧方不赞成美国退出伊核协议并对伊朗进行极限施压的做法，为此欧方创建了INSTEX（欧盟-伊朗支付系统）机制，越来越多的欧洲国家正在加入。我们希望这一机制能够尽快发挥效力并不断扩大业务范围，这将对提升欧元的国际影响力发挥积极作用。欧元成为世界主要货币的方向是明确的，实现的时间或长或短。

FT: One question which is actually on a completely different theme. Europe, or I should say the euro area, has increasingly over the past couple of years talked about promoting the euro as an international currency. And in particular, this became relevant in the context of the American decision not to participate in the JCPOA. Do you see any prospect of a rival currency to the American dollar and in particular of the euro becoming the rival currency? Or is it your sense that the global financial system will continue to be dominated by the dollar despite the aspirations in Europe?

Zhang: The euro is about to enter its 21st year and it's already become an important currency in global economy and trade. It is not a bad thing for there to be a diversity of currencies in the international financial system, after all our world is moving toward multi-polarity.

I have noticed that the EU is not happy about the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA and the maximum pressure on Iran. They have put in place the INSTEX, and I can see more European countries on board now. We hope this mechanism could be effective and further expand its scope of business. In a sense, that would be helpful for the euro to be stronger in the world. I think there is a clear tendency that the euro becomes a major currency in the world. As for the time it needs, it depends.

　　FT：很明显INSTEX机制还处在发展之中，到目前为止难言成功。从目前的趋势看，美元的霸主地位也似乎难以撼动。您认为美国挥舞制裁大棒是否会促使其他国家发展出美元的替代货币？

　　张明：我同意你的看法，INSTEX的确距离成功还有距离，欧方可以更加进取。这对打破美元的霸权地位有利，对促进世界和平与安全有利。

FT: It is obviously that that the INSTEX project is still being developed. It would be difficult to describe it as a success at this point. People have often questioned whether America's very muscular use of sanctions would lead other parts of the world to develop alternatives to the dollar to avoid the power of the dollar payment system. The tendency seems to be that there is no sign of the dollar losing its status or U.S. sanctions losing their power as a result.

Zhang: I agree it is too early to say that INSTEX is a success now. I believe that the EU could be more assertive in this regard. It could be a good thing in terms of breaking the dollar's dominance and also it is a good thing for global peace and security.

　　FT：有欧洲外交官表示，中俄在伊核问题上应该更加进取，特别是在中国进口伊朗石油方面。

　　张明：这种说法我还是第一次听到。中国和伊朗是长期的合作伙伴，即使在美国对伊采取单边制裁的情况下，双方仍然保持合作关系。中俄欧三方都在以自身方式努力推动伊核问题朝着正确的方向发展。欧方希望中国在伊核问题上更加进取，我能理解，正如中方希望欧方更加进取一样。这些都是正确的事情，符合多边主义，有利于世界的和平与安全。

FT: The EU diplomats say that China should be more assertive on Iran. Russia and China haven't really stepped up as much as they could, particularly in China's case, on buying oil.

Zhang: It is my first time to hear such argument. China and Iran are long-time cooperation partners, including in the field of oil. That cooperation continues even when the U.S is imposing sanctions. I think China, EU and Russia are all making efforts to promote the resolution of the Iran nuclear issue. I understand that the EU says that China should be more assertive in this regard, just as I am saying that Europe should be more assertive. We need to do the right thing that conforms to multilateralism and global peace and stability.