Zarif Calls for EU’s Greater Role in Mina Incident, Yemen Crisis

 

New York–Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad JavadZarifin a meeting with his Luxembourg counterpart Jean Asselborn here on Wednesday called for EU’s more active role in preventing the massacre of the Yemeni people and the Mina tragedy.

‘We want EU to play a more active role in preventing the killing of the people of Yemen and also following up the Mina tragedy,’ Zarif said during the meeting.

Asselborn, for his part, pointed to the good neighborly relations between Luxembourg and Iran and the preparations for removal of EU’s sanctions and expansion of bilateral ties.

 

The Luxembourg foreign minister pointed to the importance of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s speech at the UN General Assembly and the fight against terrorism and the ISIL.

‘Luxembourg and the European Union are trying to help the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the regional countries and Iran’s assistance in this regard is highly important,’ Asselborn added.

Mina incident was preventable–Araqchi

Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Abbas Araqchisaid that the Iranian nation is mourning for 465 victims of a catastrophe which could be prevented.

He made the remarks in an address to the coordination meeting of foreign ministers of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in New York on Thursday.

The objective behind the meeting was to forge coordination among OIC member states at the foreign ministerial level.

During the meeting, the ministers discussed major issues of the Islamic world as well as the crises gripping Muslim states, Palestine, Syria, Yemen and Iraq in particular.

The saddening incident of Mina was one of the topics dealt with during the gathering and most of the participants condoled all the Muslims, especially those suffering casualties, on the sad occasion.

 Araqchi representing Iran at the head of a delegation said that Mina disaster which saddened the Islamic world was preventable.

‘What is of more significance is feeling responsibility and being transparent, conducting professional investigations about perpetrators of the disaster and preventing repetition of such incidents in future,’ he said.

Referring to numerous commonalities among the OIC member states, Araqchi said that Muslim countries face a lot of challenges and they should not allow sectarian differences damage Islamic unity.

‘It is necessary for us to pave the way for establishment of peace, security and development in the region and Islamic world through foresightedness, bravery and patience,’ he said.

 

Envoy in London asks Saudi Arabia to extend apology, clarify reasons behind Mina tragedy

InLondon, Iran’s charge d’affaires to Britain, Mohammad Hassan Habibollahzadeh, said on Friday that Tehran wants apology of Saudi Arabia and adoption of necessary measures by its government to clarify causes of the September 24 Hajj human tragedy.

Sending a letter to officials and leaders of British political parties on Mina catastrophe, Habibollahzadeh said, ‘Our call now is Saudi Arabia’s showing responsibility in dealing with different aspects of the issue.’

The letter read, ‘As you are aware, the tragedy occurring during this year’s Hajj, killed or injured thousands as Iranian pilgrims accounted for major portion of the victims and the injured.’

Putting number of Iranian nationals killed in the incident at 464 and of the injured at hundreds, the Iranian diplomat said today, Iranian people are highly impressed by the tragedy and mourn for hundreds of their countrymen and the pilgrims.

He said that Iranian foreign ministry personnel also mourn for loss of their best colleagues in the tragic event.

The letter read, ‘Our call now is Saudi Arabia’s responsible approach towards different aspects of the issue as well as prompt probe into condition of the injured and the victims, including identification and immediate transfer of their bodies to the country.’

He said, ‘We expect the Saudi government to fully respect the Iranian pilgrims to the House of God and treat them in good fairness.’

At the time being, the Islamic Republic of Iran does not make any judgment in advance but expects Saudi government to extend apology to families of the Mina tragedy victims and take necessary measures as soon as possible to clarify reasons behind the catastrophe.

IRNA

R.S