Iran Critical Of ICAO Member States For Anti-Iran Approach

Tehran, Dec 13, IRNA – Chairman of Iranian Civil Aviation Organization Reza Nakhjevani on Monday criticized members of International Civil Aviation Organization for discriminatory approach to Iran. He told a ceremony to mark the International Civil Aviation Day that as per the ICAO Charter, the member states are obliged to cooperate with other states to help achieve sustainable development in air transport, but, certain member states have adopted discriminatory approach towards Iran. He said that ICAO member states must honor the principle of cooperation, but, unfortunately, certain states are practicing to the contrary. Nakhjevani said that the western governments are imposing restrictions on Iran in different technical, financial, insurance, banking and commercial fields, but 'thank God, we have managed to leave them behind.' He said that with reliance upon God, the Iranian government and parliament will work together to neutralize the sanctions one after the other. He said that Iran has successfully arrested international terrorists and guided down the enemy's stealth surveillance aircraft Sentinel which are admirable. Nakhjevani said that even the enemy has acknowledged that bringing down the advanced spy drone was a breakthrough in the electronic warfare waged by Washington against Iran. He said that Iran had only 20 passenger planes when the Islamic Revolution was culminated in 1979, but, currently Iran has over 200 operational planes. He said that the flights of passenger planes in domestic and international air routes have increased 100 folds compared with 1979 and the passengers being carried by Iranian airplanes amounted to tens of million. Meanwhile, Nakhjevani read out a message from ICAO Secretary-General Roberto Gonzales on the occasion./end