EP’s Blacklisting of IRGC Violates UN Charter: Iranian FM

In a telephone conversation on Friday, Amirabdollahian and his Swedish counterpart Tobias Billström talked about bilateral and international issues of mutual interest.

Amirabdollahian strongly criticized the unconstructive stance of the European Parliament on the IRGC, expressing hope that during Sweden’s presidency of the European Union, the relations between the bloc and Iran would continue on the right track.

Amirabdollahian stressed that the destructive move by the European Parliament against the IRGC is in violation of the UN Charter, the Foreign Ministry’s website reported.

The top Iranian diplomat added that the IRGC played a constructive role in the fight against the Daesh (ISIS or ISIS) terrorist group in Iraq, Syria and the wider West Asia region, and saved the European capitals from attacks by the Daesh terrorists. Therefore, he added, the Europeans are indebted to the struggle of the IRGC due to its fight against terrorism.

Stressing the need to expand consultations between Tehran and Stockholm, Amirabdollahian said Iran and Sweden should not allow their historical relations to be affected by parties that have personal and terrorist interests.

The Swedish foreign minister, for his part, emphasized his country’s efforts for closer negotiations with Iran during Sweden’s presidency of the EU.

On the European Parliament’s recent resolution against the IRGC, Billström noted that the motion is non-binding.

The Swedish foreign minister also pointed to the importance of consular consultations between Tehran and Stockholm and expressed hope that cooperation between the two sides in this regard would continue.

Amirabdollahian and Billström also discussed the developments in Ukraine, among other issues.