Araghchi holds series of bilateral meetings on sidelines of UN General Assembly
Tehran - BORNA - Araghchi met Tuesday morning with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. The two discussed bilateral Iran-Italy relations as well as regional and international developments.
Outlining Iran's views on international developments, Araghchi warned of the dangerous consequences of normalizing lawlessness and America's belligerent unilateralism for the principle of the rule of law, and stressed the importance of all countries, particularly European states, upholding their international legal obligations in this regard.
Araghchi described the hosting of American military bases by some European countries, including Italy, and any cooperation in preparing or carrying out acts of aggression against Iran, as extremely dangerous and tantamount to complicity in aggression, saying it entails international responsibility for host or complicit governments.
Referring to the continuation of aggressive and destabilizing actions by the US and Israel in West Asia, Araghchi said the rise in global fuel and commodity prices is a direct result of the US-Israeli military aggression against Iran, and that any responsible country should hold the US accountable for its continued reckless conduct and its threats to commercial shipping in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
Outlining Iran's responsible approach to regional developments, including its participation in diplomatic processes at one point hosted by Italy, Araghchi noted that the US committed military aggression against Iran in the middle of diplomatic negotiations, derailing the diplomatic process — and that European countries, regrettably, chose a path of appeasement toward the aggressor rather than condemning the aggression.
Araghchi stressed that Iran views diplomacy as an effective tool for defending its national sovereignty and legitimate interests, and that just as it has acted decisively in repelling aggressive acts of malice, it has remained steadfast and acted in good faith in its use of diplomacy.
On human rights, particularly women's rights, Araghchi criticized what he called the double standards of some European countries, saying that parties who remained silent over the most flagrant human rights violations committed by the Israeli occupying regime in occupied Palestine, who showed indifference toward US and Israeli crimes against the Iranian people, including in Minab and Lamerd, and who now support America's economic terrorism against the Iranian people, have no standing to lecture others on human rights.
Italy's foreign minister, for his part, stressed his country's commitment to international peace and security and called for redoubled efforts by all parties to reduce tensions.
European Union
Araghchi also met and held talks Tuesday with Kaja Kallas, the European Union's foreign policy chief.
The talks covered the latest regional and international developments, including matters related to the Ukraine conflict, developments in West Asia amid the continuation of US aggressive actions and economic war against Iran, and the consequences of America's belligerent unilateralism for international peace and security.
Araghchi stressed the importance of a constructive EU role in international developments and of avoiding approaches based on double standards and appeasement toward American bullying.
Referring to Iran's practical commitment to diplomacy in pursuit of regional peace and security, Araghchi noted that repeated US violations of its commitments have been the sole cause of disruption to diplomatic processes, and that the EU, regrettably, has in numerous instances chosen a path of appeasement toward American bullying instead of upholding the principles it claims to champion, including the rule of law and respect for human rights — an approach he said would in no way serve international peace and security.
The two sides also exchanged views on a range of other issues of mutual interest.
Belarus
Continuing his series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the session, Araghchi met and held talks with Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov.
The two sides reviewed the latest state of bilateral Iran-Belarus relations, ways to expand economic and trade cooperation, and the latest regional and international developments.
Citing the two countries' excellent and growing relations, Araghchi stressed Iran's determination to fully implement past agreements and deepen cooperation in bilateral and multilateral fields.
Araghchi strongly criticized unilateral and illegal Western sanctions against independent countries, stressing the need for Iran and Belarus to stand together against political and economic pressure originating from unilateralism.
Belarus's foreign minister, for his part, expressed satisfaction with the meeting and stressed Minsk's serious determination to strengthen its fraternal, strategic relations with Tehran, describing the protection of the UN Charter and the national sovereignty of states as a fundamental principle in international relations.
Greece
Araghchi separately met and held talks with Greek Foreign Minister Georgios Gerapetritis on the sidelines of the session.
Norway
Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik met with Araghchi at noon Tuesday on the sidelines of the General Assembly's annual session. The two sides discussed the latest regional and international developments, ongoing developments in West Asia, and issues of interest to both countries.
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