Brussels, 08/04/2014 (Agence Europe) - Although negotiations on the Iranian nuclear programme resumed in Vienna on the evening of 7 April, the Iranians have, since 4 April, been criticising the resolution that was approved by the European Parliament on 3 April focusing largely on human rights (see EUROPE 11053). “The Islamic Republic of Iran's government attaches no importance to such resolutions and the European Parliament is too small to insult the great Iranian nation”, said Iran's President Hassan Rohani on 7 April. He nevertheless underlined the positive points in the resolution - such as those concerning the development of cooperation between the EU and Tehran, and those welcoming the provisional agreement on the nuclear issue and the efforts to reach a permanent agreement.
The previous day, Iran's Minister for Foreign Affairs Mohamed Javad Zarif had also criticised the European Parliament's resolution. He announced that his “government will not allow any European parliamentary delegation to visit Iran based on the preconditions set in the European Parliament's resolution”. In this resolution, MEPs announced that any future delegation from the European Parliament to Iran should try to meet members of the political opposition, protesters from civil society and political prisoners. “Europeans should know that the great and civilised Iranian nation seeks interaction with other states based on mutual respect and equal footings and doesn't tolerate any insulting and interfering behaviours by any stream and country”, Zarif continued. “The European Parliament does not have the legitimacy to preach the defence of human rights”, he said.
On Friday 4 April, Iran's spokesperson for foreign affairs, Marziyeh Afkham, stated that “the endorsement of a resolution regarding ties with Iran and human rights situation in the country by the EU Parliament is unfounded and unacceptable”.
According to the Iranian news agency Fars, Zarif has summoned the Greek ambassador - as the representative of the country holding the presidency of the EU - to protest against this resolution. (CG)