UN Under-secretary general, Iran Deputy FM Hold Talks

Tehran, Aug 27, IRNA – United Nations Under-Secretary General in Political Affairs Jeffery Feltman met with Deputy Foreign Minister in Legal and International Affairs Mohammad Mehdi Akhoundzadeh and discussed issues of mutual interest with him on Monday. In the meeting, Akhoundzadeh said that Iran, as one of the founders of the UN and an active member of international society has always tried in direction of strengthening peace and international security. Referring to successful holding of the 16th summit meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement member states in Tehran, the senior Iranian diplomat underlined Iran’s intention to optimize cooperation capacities between NAM and the UN during Iran’s chairmanship on NAM, especially considering current sensitive situation in the region and the world as well as necessity for planning and executing joint initiatives in this concern. In this regard, Akhoundzadeh proposed holding a meeting of NAM Troika with the UN secretary general on the sidelines of the upcoming meeting of the UN General Assembly as an opportunity for exchanging views. He also expressed Iran’s readiness to increase its participation in the peace-keeping operation of the UN. Criticizing continuation and escalation of illegal and unilateral sanctions against Iran, which have interrupted development process of the country, Akhoundzadeh reminded necessity of playing an independent and effective role by the UN, upon the organization’s charter, without being influenced by the policy of certain powerful countries. Referring to Iran’s membership in the Chemical Weapon Convention (CWC), Akhoundzadeh underlined that Iran, as a victim of such weapons, wants full destruction and ban to use chemical weapons in the world. Feltman, for his part, by referring to Iran’s influence and effective role in the countries of the region, reminded Iran’s past and current cooperation with the UN in the fields of drug smuggling, the environment, climate change, refugees affairs, cooperation with the Red Cross Organization and offering humanitarian aids, especially for Iraq and Afghanistan. He underlined importance of Iran’s cooperation with the UN to end conflicts and current crises in the region, especially ending war in Syria. Feltman also expressed hope that President Hassan Rohani would participate in the 68th meeting of the UN General Assembly in New York./end