Iran, Ukraine Wrap Up New Round of Talks on Flight 752 Crash
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Ranking diplomats from Iran and Ukraine have concluded the third round of talks on issues surrounding a Ukrainian passenger plane that crashed near Tehran back in January 2020.
Iran’s ambassador to Kiev announced on his Twitter account that the third round of talks between Iranian and Ukrainian deputy foreign ministers ended after two days of serious negotiations in a constructive atmosphere.
The fresh round of talks was co-chaired by Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for International and Legal Affairs Mohsen Baharvand and Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Yevgheniy Yenin.
According to the ambassador, Iran has presented a report on the measures taken by the Iranian judicial system to hold accountable those involved in the shooting down of the jetliner, while the Ukrainian side has endorsed the qualification of the Iranian courts to deal with the case.
Manoochehr Moradi also pointed to a decision from three other countries involved in the case to set up a new group, saying the Ukrainian delegation has called for negotiations between Iran and that group.
The Islamic Republic does not recognize the group and expressed dissatisfaction with such unprofessional and hostile stance, the ambassador underlined, the Iranian government’s website reported.
Moradi also said the Iranian delegation has expressed readiness to hold bilateral talks with the countries that respect Iran’s qualification, governance and political independence.
Iran has called for raising unanswered questions, underlining that it will reply to the questions within the framework of its laws and regulations, the envoy to Kiev explained.
Iran and Ukraine had held the second round of negotiations about the case in Tehran in October 2020.
The Kiev-bound UIA Boeing 737 crashed shortly after taking off from Tehran on January 8, 2020, killing all 176 people on board, mostly Iranian and Canadian citizens.
Iran said the plane was hit by an anti-aircraft missile due to human error.
