Iranian official raps EP for cancelling Iran visit

Head of Iran-EU Parliamentary Friendship Group Kazem Jalali says instrumental use of a planned visit to Iran in a bid to build up pressure is an unwise move, IRNA reported.

"Usually such visits aim to expand parliamentary relations and hold consultations on issues of mutual interest; so instrumental or political use of visit to build up pressure is an unwise move," said Jalali commenting on an EP planned visit to Tehran at the request of the European Parliament. "We had agreed to their request," said Jalali.

He said the European Parliament in an unwise move has cancelled the visit which is not justifiable. "The consequences of the visit cancellation rests with the European Parliament."

The lawmaker opined that the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis) supports parliamentary engagement and exchange of visits by officials of countries, regional groupings and especifically European Parliament. He said that's in line with dialogues and consultations on issues of mutual interest and helping better understand each other.


The trip was cancelled while the European legislators who were due to travel to Tehran this week had earlier announced their eagerness to make the trip and review the sanctions imposed by their governments against the Islamic Republic in their talks with the Iranian officials.

A senior advisor to the Iranian parliament speaker declared earlier today that the EU delegation has set a precondition for the visit to Tehran, and Iran would not accept their prerequisite.

"The European parliamentary delegation has set a precondition for visiting Iran and will not accept this prerequisite as it runs counter to our policies," Senior Advisor of the Iranian parliament speaker Hossein Sheikholeslam said on Saturday.

Sheikholeslam did not say if the EU parliamentarians have cancelled the trip to Tehran or not.

Sheikholeslam had announced on Monday that a 15-member delegation of European Parliament would arrive in Tehran on October 27 on a six-day visit to the country, adding that the visit would take place at the request of the European side.