Iran Press/Iran news: Iranian Foreign Ministry, in response to European Union's statement on new financial channel to support trade between Tehran and Europe, also emphasized on the constructive interaction based on mutual interests and respect.
The experience of the talks and cooperation between Iran and the European Union over the years, especially over the past three years, has shown that there are many capacities and opportunities for cooperation and development of relations between the two sides, Iranian Foreign Ministry statement reads, Mehr News Agency reported.
Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX)
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has serious considerations and criticisms of the EU positions. First of all, as previously announced, we welcome the launch of EU's trade mechanism which aims to support trade exchanges with Iran, i.e. SPV, but without a doubt the realistic expectation is that this mechanism would be implemented as soon as possible with greater accuracy and speed, and cover other aspects of trade between Iran and European countries, as outlined in the statement issued by the foreign ministers of Iran and the three European countries," Iranian Foreign Ministry said.
"For us, the economic aspects of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and Iran's benefit from the deal are important; the fulfillment of obligations by the European signatories to Iran nuclear deal can be a decisive factor in determining our future relations. Linking the implementation of this mechanism, which is their inherent responsibility towards saving the nuclear deal, to joining the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is unacceptable," the Ministry noted.
Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX)
Anti-Iran allegations
"The anti-Iran accusations, such as planning terrorist attacks in Europe, were both baseless and surprising from the beginning," Iranian Foreign Ministry noted.
"Raising such unjustified allegations and concerns by Europeans against the Islamic Republic, in a situation where the terrorist and criminal groups act freely in Europe, is not constructive, but in line with the objectives of the enemies seeking to sabatage relations between Iran and Europe. The Islamic Republic of Iran, as one of the victims of terrorist attacks and as a country that always had a leading role in the fight against ISIS terrorists, who are threatening to even Europe's security, expects the European Union to seriously deal those threats with a realistic view and far from dual standards," Iranian Foreign Ministry said.
Iran defense activities
As previously stated, the spirit of Iran's activities is merely defensive, deterrent and indigenous, and this issue has never been and will never be on the agenda of our negotiations with other countries. We firmly believe that allegations against Iran's defense program, in current regional situation and given the obvious threats against the national security of the Islamic Republic of Iran, is neither constructive nor in line with the security of the region and the interests of Europe, itself.
Regional issues
The Islamic Republic of Iran strongly urges European countries to have a realistic look at regional incidents and issues and not be affected by the demands of those opposed to peace, stability and sustainable security of the region and to the development of relations between governments and nations. The Islamic Republic of Iran has always supported dialogue, interaction and political solutions to resolve all regional crises.
We hope that with the fulfillment of Europe's all commitments, we will see the deepening of relations between the two sides in the shortest time, the statement concluded.
In the statement on Monday the European Union expressed its resolute commitment to and continued support for the Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The EU also welcomed Iran's continued full and effective implementation of its nuclear-related commitments, as confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in thirteen consecutive reports, including in its latest quarterly report, issued in November 2018.
The bloc, which remains part of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, also expressed unfounded allegations and concerns against Iran's defensive program, role in the Middle East, as well as security issues.
Following months-long preparations, the foreign ministers of France, Germany and Britain finally unveiled a trade mechanism with Tehran, officially called the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX), after a summit in Bucharest, Romania on 31 January 2018.
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