The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, has explained in a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Hosein Amirabdolahian that the European Parliament’s decision to designate the Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization is a non-binding expression of Europe’s concerns about the current human rights situation in Iran.
In the conversation, the Iranian minister conveyed his deep criticism of the European Parliament’s resolution, which he described as «emotional, cruel and unprofessional,» as well as «contrary to reason and civility,» according to a summary of the conversation published by the Iranian Foreign Ministry on its website.
The dialogue comes after the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling the Iranian Revolutionary Guard a terrorist group for alleged human rights violations during recent unrest in the country. The measure was approved on Wednesday by almost the entire European Parliament with 598 votes in favor, 31 abstentions and nine votes against.
«We have repeatedly said that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is an official and sovereign institution, which has played and continues to play a vital and important role in providing security for Iran and the region, especially in the fight against terrorism,» the Iranian minister said, before adding that the EP’s decision is a «shot in Europe’s foot.»
Amirabdolahian advanced a «legal and firm» response from Iran’s Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament) before calling on the European Parliament to «reflect on the negative repercussions» of its decision.
«In the world of diplomacy, it is necessary to respect mutual security and put the promotion of mutual trust on the agenda rather than resorting to language of threats and hostile measures. In any case, there will be a reaction and a response,» he said.
For his part, Borrell agreed on the emotional nature of the European Parliament’s resolution before reminding the Iranian minister that the European Parliament is a fully independent institution whose non-binding resolution «simply reflects Europe’s concerns,» according to the Iranian Ministry’s website.
Borrell thus chose to focus on the diplomatic process during the difficult talks for Iran’s return to the international nuclear deal. In this regard, the top European diplomat expressed his satisfaction with the news of cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
