Leader Asks Europe to Show Independent Resolve in Face of US
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei in a meeting with visiting Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras criticized the Europe for lacking independent will in the face of the US.
At the meeting held in Tehran on Monday, Ayatollah Khamenei said that contrary to the past, the Europe “has no independent will vis-à-vis the US”, adding that the European should “correct this weakness”.
As regards bilateral ties between Tehran and Athens, the Leader said the visit to Tehran by the Greek PM can be good beginning to increase the two countries' long-term exchanges and cooperation.
Imam Khamenei further highlighted the "independent approach" of the Greek administration.
He also expressed the hope that Greece could overcome the economic problems, and added that the trip “would also serve as grounds for the promotion of the interests of both countries.”
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader pointed to the foreign-backed crisis in Syria, and said, "Terrorism is a transmitting disease and very dangerous which can be contained if it is seriously countered by all. But unfortunately some are directly or indirectly assisting the terrorist groups."
Tsipras, for his part, said his trip to Iran is a “turning point” in the bilateral ties and signals the common political resolve for stepping up cooperation in all fields.
Referring to the Syrian issue, he expressed hope for positive developments in the Arab country since acts of terrorism have displaced countless Syrians and triggered an influx of refugees into European states, including Greece.
