Foreign Ministry Criticizes EU Conclusion on Iran
TEHRAN (Basirat) : Iran’s Foreign Ministry released a statement in response to the Council of the EU's conclusion on the Islamic Republic, criticizing the EU document for raising allegations against Tehran’s missile activities and regional role and for using human rights as a political tool.
In a statement on Tuesday morning, the Iranian Foreign Ministry released a
statement to explicate the country’s stances towards a conclusion that the EU
council adopted on Monday night on Iran.
Although the Foreign Ministry has welcomed the EU’s positive approaches in the
conclusion, it has leveled criticism at the European document for raising
certain issues.
As regards the EU’s comments about the INSTEX (Instrument in Support of Trade
Exchanges) -a payment channel that the three EU signatories to the 2015 Iran
nuclear deal (France, Germany and Britain) have set up to help continue trade
with Tehran- the Foreign Ministry said while Iran welcomes the registration of
the INSTEX, it expects the mechanism to be implemented as soon as possible,
citing Europe’s "late and insufficient” measures on the financial channel.
It said Iran attaches significance to the economic benefits of the Joint
Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), stressing that the way that the European
parties would carry out their commitments would be a significant litmus test for
Iran’s future policies.
The statement also underlined that any plan to link implementation of INSTEX -an
inherent part of the JCPOA- to other issues such as the Financial Action Task
Force (FATF) Action Plan is totally unacceptable.
On the allegations that Iran has been involved in hostile activities on the
territory of several EU countries, the Foreign Ministry said such accusations
are "baseless and surprising”, noting, "The Europeans’ move to raise such bogus
and groundless allegations and their expression of concern, while the notorious
and criminal terrorist groups… are freely active in Europe- is not only
unconstructive at the current situation, but also serve the objectives of the
enemies that seek strained ties between Iran and Europe.”
Iran, known as a victim of terrorism and a spearhead of the fight against Daesh
(ISIL) terrorist group -which also threatens security in Europe- expects the EU
to adopt a realistic stance without the common double standards, the statement
added.
In response to the EU conclusion’s expression of concern about Iran's missile
activities, the Foreign Ministry reiterated that Iran’s military activities are
"defensive, deterrent and indigenous” in nature and such issue will be never
subject to negotiations with the other countries.
"We strongly believe that raising such issues at the current regional
circumstances and the brazen threats against security of the Islamic Republic of
Iran are not constructive, effectual and useful, and are not consistent with the
regional security and Europe’s real interests,” the statement underscored.
The Foreign Ministry also dismissed the EU conclusion’s allegations about Iran’s
unconstructive regional role, recommending the EU states to hold a realistic
view of the regional developments and not to be influenced by the attempts of
the elements that are against the regional peace, stability and security and
against the promotion of relations between the government and nations.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran always supports dialogue, cooperation and
political solution for the settlement of all regional crises,” it added.
As regards a paragraph in the EU conclusion that has voiced serious concern
about the human rights situation in Iran, the Foreign Ministry condemned any
"instrumental and political employment of human rights against the independent
counties,” saying Tehran’s activities over the past four decades reveal its
serious resolve to promote human rights and honor its international commitments
through constructive cooperation and dialogue-based mechanisms.
"Expression of concern about the status of human rights in the Islamic Republic
of Iran, while Iran’s top regional position in terms of respecting the norms of
human rights is clear to everybody, would be an attempt to divert the public
opinion and insist on a wrong process which could deepen distrust in the mutual
ties,” it deplored.
"In a region whose main crisis is the murder of children by the Zionist regime
and the crimes by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen (because of the conventional
and unconventional arms provided by the Western countries, including certain EU
member states), the EU’s stances like this are undoubtedly unconstructive and
rejected by the world public opinion.”
The Foreign Ministry also decried the EU’s silence on the widespread violation
of human rights in the EU member states, such as lack of respect for the basic
rights of migrants and refugees, a rise in the far right sentiments, and the
racist behavior towards ethnic and religious minorities, particularly Muslims.
The statement ultimately noted, "The Islamic Republic of Iran calls for
constructive interaction on the basis of mutual interests and respect with the
European Union. The Experience of dialogue and cooperation between Iran and the
EU, particularly the experience of the previous years, in the past three years
in particular, demonstrate that there are great capacities and opportunities for
cooperation and expansion of ties between the two sides. We hope that enactment
of all European commitments would deepen bilateral relations at the shortest
time.”
Source:Tasnim