EU Foreign Policy Not Influenced By US: Mann

Tehran, March 9, IRNA – European Union foreign policy is not affected by the United States foreign policy, European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashtonˈs spokesman Michael Mann said on Sunday. He told reporters on the sideline of a meeting between visiting European Union foreign policy chief and Iranˈs Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. ˈIranˈs nuclear issue was only one of the issues discussed by Ashton and Zarif,ˈ Mann added. He underlined that the EU foreign policy is independent and not influenced by Washington. Zarif and Ashton discussed issues of mutual interests in a meeting here Sunday morning. The two attended a joint press conference after the meeting. Ashton arrived in the Iranian capital Saturday evening at an invitation by the Iranian foreign minister. This is her first visit to Tehran since 2008. During her stay here, Ashton is to discuss different aspects of relations between Tehran and the European Union as well as dispute over Iranˈs nuclear program in separate meetings with senior Iranian officials including President Hassan Rouhani. The EU foreign policy chief is also to hold talks with Iranˈs Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani. Ashton is accompanied by her deputy Helga Schmid and special aide Stefan Clement./end