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TEHRAN, Feb 05 -Tehran has welcomed the European Union’s “positive positions” on the 2015 nuclear deal outlined in a 12-point statement, but criticizes certain other points of the document, including those regarding Iran’s national defense program and regional role.
TEHRAN, Young Journalists Club (YJC) -The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Tuesday in reaction to that of the Council of the European Union, in which the 28-nation bloc had once again thrown its weight behind the multilateral nuclear agreement, known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), from which the US unilaterally withdrew last year.
The EU, in the statement released on Monday, defended the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) – officially called the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchange (INSTEX) -- which was launched last week in a bid to protect trade ties with Tehran against American sanctions.
The mechanism was registered by France, Germany and the UK in Paris, and will, in its initial stage, facilitate trade of humanitarian goods such as medicine, food and medical devices.
However, in parallel with JCPOA-related issues, the European Union repeated a set of baseless accusations against Iran and raised “concerns” about the country’s conventional missile program as well as its role in the region.
On INSTEX
The Foreign Ministry said Iran welcomes the registration of the INSTEX non-dollar trade system, although its launch is “overdue and insufficient.”
“Undoubtedly, it is naturally and realistically expected that the mechanism -- a long overdue and insufficient step from the European side – will become operational faster and with more accuracy, and will cover other areas of trade between Iran and the European countries as stated in a joint statement in May by foreign ministers of Iran and the EU,” read the statement.
Iran, however, described as “unacceptable” the EU’s linking of the implementation of INSTEXT, which is an inherent commitment under the JCPOA, to the adoption by Tehran of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
In its own statement, the EU had expressed its resolute commitment to the JCPOA, hailed the accord’s continued implementation on the part of Iran and deeply regretted Washington’s re-imposition of sanctions against Tehran after abandoning the nuclear deal in May 2018.
The EU had further emphasized its support for the development of bilateral ties with Iran, praising France, Germany and the United Kingdom for their efforts to operationalize the SPV, with a view to “providing a positive impact on trade and economic relations with Iran, but most importantly on the lives of Iranian people.”
The European Council, however, urged Iran to adopt and implement the necessary legislation pursuant to its commitments under the FATF Action Plan.
Claim of plots in Europe
Elsewhere in its statement, Iran’s Foreign Ministry rejected the EU’s “empty and groundless” accusations about Tehran’s alleged “hostile” activities in the European continent.
The European Council had expressed concerns about what it called Iran’s “unacceptable behavior” in Europe, blacklisting two individuals and one entity in connection with the claims.
Tehran said the EU’s claims come while “criminal” terror groups with global notoriety have been acting freely in European states.
Iran, as one of the major victims of terrorist attacks, has been a front runner in the fight against the terror groups such as Daesh, which pose security threats to Europe, the statement added.
It further criticized Europe’s allegations as “unconstructive,” urging Brussels to abandon its “double-standard” policies.
Iran’s defense program
The Foreign Ministry further reiterated that Iran’s military activities solely serve defense and deterrence purposes, describing them as a “domestic issue” that will never be up for discussions with any other country.
The Islamic Republic, it added, firmly believes that raising such topics at the current juncture in the region, when Iran is facing clear security threats, is not in the interests of Europe and regional security.
The European Council had expressed alarm at Iran’s ballistic missile launches, claiming that they are “inconsistent” with UN Security Council resolution 2231, which was adopted in July 2015 to endorse the JCPOA.
Regional issues
Meanwhile, Iran advised the European countries to adopt a “realistic” approach to the developments unfolding in the region, and not to be influenced by “certain anti-peace currents and elements.” It also stressed support for dialog, interaction and political methods aimed at resolving regional crises.
The European Council had expressed concerns about Iran’s role in Syria and Lebanon and Yemen.
Human rights
The Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned “any instrumental and political use of the human rights issue against independent states.”
It said Iran’s activities over the past four decades demonstrate its seriousness in promoting human rights and honoring international commitments through constructive cooperation and dialog-based methods.
Iran further drew the EU’s attention to the main crises gripping the region, including the Israeli regime’s infanticide as well the crimes the Saudi regime and its allied are committing during the war against Yemen by the weapons they receive from the Western states, including some EU members.
The European Council had expressed worries about the human rights situation in Iran.
Source:presstv
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