Iran FM visits European Parliament

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Tuesday visited the European Parliament, and discussed EU-Iran relations with members of the European Parliament (MEPs).

In a first-ever debate with European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee members, Zarif thanked the EU for its constructive approach to finding a deal on Iran's nuclear program, which, he affirmed, was and had always been peaceful.

"We managed to define the problem and objective: a peaceful nuclear program," he said.

Asked about ways to end violence in Syria and Yemen, Zarif stressed that the key challenges in the region are "extremism, sectarianism and violence."

He spelled out a four-point plan to tackle them, including a ceasefire, a national unity government, humanitarian assistance and elections based on new constitution.

As regards relations with Saudi Arabia, he stated that Iran was following a policy of self-restraint.

MEPs welcomed the Iran nuclear deal strengthening EU-Iran trade, economic, cultural and environmental ties. However, MEPs also express concern over the human rights situation in Iran.

According to an official Parliament statement, Zarif acknowledged the need to improve Iran's human rights record and promised to pursue dialogue on this issue with the EU "in a spirit of mutual respect and without preaching." Endit