MP Raps Ashton For ˈunsanctionedˈ Meeting With Activists

Tehran, March 12, IRNA – Senior member of parliament on Tuesday criticized European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton over an ˈunsanctionedˈ meeting with the woman activists in Tehran. Chairman of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi made the remarks in a press conference. ˈContact with civil society is recognized in diplomatic protocol as far as it does not constitute interference in internal affairs and it must take place respecting the national criteria.” He added that ˈsuch incidents do not help mend relationsˈ. “Ashton made a mistake and should make good on the unacceptable practice.” In the meantime, the foreign ministry has protested to the Austrian Embassy which is believed to have organized the ˈunsanctionedˈ encounter. Ashton, visiting Iran for the first time since she took office in 2009, held talks with top Iranian officials on Sunday./end