Iran FM urges EU stop unconstructive, repetitious attitude

Tehran, IRNA – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hossein Amirabdollahian has called on the European Union to halt the unconstructive and repetitive path of imposing sanctions on Iranian entities and individuals. Amirabdollahian made the remarks in a joint press conference with his Belarusian counterpart Vladimir Makei in Tehran on Wednesday, saying that in a retaliatory measure the Islamic Republic has published a new list of sanctions on eight entities and 12 individuals from Europe because they have played a role in supporting and promoting terrorism and violence in Iran. The top Iranian diplomat also advised the Europeans to stop their repetitive and unconstructive method of imposing sanctions on Iran, which has been doomed to failure in previous years. He further noted that the Islamic Republic rules out any involvement in delivering drones to Russia to be used against Ukraine, urging the Ukrainian officials to provide the world with their documents in this respect. As to the recent message from the United States on the Vienna talks to revive the 2015 nuclear deal and lift anti-Iran sanctions, Amirabdollahian stated that Tehran believes the diplomatic path keeps on, but certain American officials speak in a way that is paradoxical. The Iranian FM also pointed out to a joint meeting with his Belarusian counterpart, saying that Minsk and Tehran are on the verge of the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties. Amirabdollahian expressed hope that the negotiations will pave the way for the expansion of trade cooperation between Belarus and Iran, and that collaborations in transit of commodities as well as in the tourism industry will improve. Makei, for his part, stipulated that the two sides attached importance to economic and trade cooperation during their Wednesday meeting, noting that Minsk opposes the imposition of unilateral sanctions because this phenomenon is a sort of economic terrorism against countries. Following their first round of talks, the two foreign ministers signed a document of comprehensive cooperation between the ministries of foreign affairs of both countries. Follow us on Twitter @IrnaEnglish