Zarif slams West's Islamophobia, double standards

TEHRAN, Nov. 08 (MNA) – Iranian FM Zarif commented on West’s approach to Asian and African citizens while receiving visiting EP's Schulz in Tehran on Saturday. “The effects and the results of the JCPOA should be scrutinized through the frame of its articles in a thorough logical examination,” said Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday during his meeting with visiting European Parliament President Martin Schulz in Tehran. The Iranian chief diplomat, further lamented the consequences of increasing violence and extremism in Syria which is pushing innocent displaced women, children and civilians into Europe. “Lack of realistic understanding of the Syrian crisis has burdened innocent Syrians with unimaginable difficulties while we have always emphasized on political solution in Syria,” reaffirmed Zarif. Welcoming the development of political and economic ties between Iran and European Union, Iran’s foreign minister hailed the opportunities prospected in the JCPOA for both Iran and Europe. “We have always welcomed parliamentary ties based on mutual respect to concerns and values of both sides,” commented Zarif on the talks between Schulz and his Iranian counterpart Larijani. Zarif further expressed Iran's serious concern for the way Asian and African citizens are treated in Europe saying that anti-Islamic approaches and double-standard principles are the major flaws of the Western discourse. During the same meeting, the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz recounted the basic approach of the EU and the European Parliament. “We insist that the Islamic Republic is a key player for solving the regional issues as it has always acted the role of a stabilizer and peace establisher in the Middle East,” Schulz later affirmed. Referring to the surging trend of economic relations between Iran and the EU, the European official said that he welcomes economic cooperation, trade interaction, and investments of Europeans in Iran. He reassured that following the JCPOA, the current boost of relations will continue making progress. Heading a high ranking European delegation, the President of the EU Parliament Martin Schulz arrived in the capital of the Islamic Republic early on Saturday November 7 for a one-day visit in a bid to bolster Iran-EU ties.