Iran warns EP against recent resolution

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said on Friday that it will be “definitely to the detriment of Europe” to follow the lead of “extremist groups and currents, particularly under the circumstances that the more realistic spectrum of the European Parliament lawmakers and independent European politicians consider the current changes in [Iran-Europe] ties as being in line with mutual interests.”

The Iranian official emphasized that the European Parliament’s measure was “baseless and unacceptable,” adding that not only does the resolution run counter to all political and international criteria, but it is also reminiscent of “discriminatory and racist” approaches.

On Thursday, the European Parliament passed a resolution on the EU strategy toward Iran, expressing concern over the alleged human rights violations in Iran.

It also claimed that Iran’s presidential election in June 2013, which led to the victory of President Hassan Rouhani, was “not held according to the democratic standards valued by the EU.”

Afkham said the West cannot impose its will on the Iranian nation and called on the European Parliament to find channels to create mutual respect and guarantee common interests instead of working to block avenues of cooperation.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman also stated that over the past months Iran has communicated its views over areas of cooperation to the European parliamentary delegations and officials. She warned Europe against repeating the previous mistakes.
/SR