Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has strongly criticized the European Union for failing to defend the nuclear deal with Iran. He stated that Europe was contented to maintain the agreement by simply declaring its stance instead of taking practical measures.
Zarif said that the Europeans had announced new points and had implemented some new measures in the oil and banking sector, including the license for the European Investment Bank.
He added: “From our point of view, the European actions are not practical, and are, in fact, a mere declaration of positions. Although Europe had advanced forward in some points, our belief is that Europe is still not ready to spend so as to support the nuclear deal”.
Zarif continued: “On the surface, the Europeans have so far revealed their political will during the dialogue. Hence, in case the political will of Europe is coupled with executive measures, then probably Iran will equally respond with similar procedures”.
He concluded that the Europeans say that they consider the nuclear agreement as a security achievement, and naturally, every country should invest and spend for its security, and we should observe this financial expenditure during the coming months.
Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, confirmed earlier this month that the EU intended to endorse companies that would expand trade with Iran after US sanctions were reinstated.
Mogherini’s statements came after the Vienna meeting, in July, that brought together the foreign ministers of the UN Security Council‘s five permanent members. The gathering issued a statement stressing the commitment to protect companies investing in Iran from the effects of US sanctions and stimulate new investments.
Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Foreign Minister, said that a collective response to the US sanctions against Iran and investing companies shall be reached, hoping that Iran will stop its threats to withdraw from the nuclear deal.
