Iran Urges Europe to Avoid Double Standards in Countering Terrorism

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian held a meeting with his Danish counterpart Jeppe Kofod on the sidelines of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday.

Highlighting the new Iranian administration's interest in establishing balanced relations with different countries, including the European states, Amirabdollahian stressed the need for the promotion of cooperation with Denmark in various fields such as environment, renewable energy, medicine, veterinary and health.

Regarding the activities of certain terrorist groups in Europe, the Iranian foreign minister slammed the presence of some of those elements in Denmark as unacceptable, and called for the application of a single standard for dealing with terrorism.

Amirabdollahian also expressed readiness to review relations and design a path for further development of bilateral relations. He said activating the capacities of the joint commission of the two countries and reopening direct flights between Tehran and Copenhagen will help achieve those goals, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s website.

The top Iranian diplomat also referred to the sanctions and said the current US administration has continued the path of its predecessor in imposing illegal and oppressive sanctions against the Iranian people, which is contrary to the claims heard from Washington on a daily basis that it wants to return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Of course, although these sanctions have caused limitations, they have failed to create obstacles in Iran's creative trade relations with the outside world, and this is an opportunity for both countries, Amirabdollahian added.

Regarding Afghanistan, he expressed the Islamic Republic of Iran's readiness to cooperate with Denmark to send the necessary aids to Afghan people.

The Danish foreign minister, for his part, expressed his desire to expand cooperation, saying that unilateral sanctions against the Iranian people are not acceptable.

He also noted that it is necessary to resume the Vienna talks as soon as possible.

Kofod further thanked Iran for its important measures in helping with the evacuation of foreign nationals from Afghanistan.

Denmark has allocated $80 million for humanitarian aids and a part of that sum must go to Afghan refugees, he said.

The Danish foreign minister also voiced his government's support for regional consultations in the Persian Gulf.