High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell met with the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Abbas Araghchi, for a bilateral meeting in New York in the margins of the UN General Assembly.
The meeting provided an opportunity to share the EU’s position on a wide range of problematic issues with a particular focus on Iran’s military support to Russia and on the pressing regional crisis.
High Representative Borrell stressed the EU strong condemnation of the recent transfer of Iranian-made ballistic missiles to Russia. He underlined to Minister Araghchi that the EU considers the delivery of such weapons a direct threat to European security and that it represents a substantial material escalation, after the provision of Iranian UAVs and ammunition, which Russia has used in its illegal attacks at civilian targets in Ukraine.
On the situation in the Middle East, the High Representative stressed that the risk of full military escalation, with devastating consequences for the entire region, needs to be addressed with urgency. The European Union will continue to do its utmost to support the voices of peace and reason. The High Representative called on Iran to use its influence to avoid further escalation. A ceasefire and hostage deal should be the real priority to improve the situation for civilians in Gaza and ease the tensions.
The High Representative also stressed the importance of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The EU will continue to call on the Iranian authorities to respect and uphold the rights of all its citizens, and to cease the practice of arbitrary detention including of EU citizens.
Finally, High Representative Borrell underlined the importance of renewed nuclear diplomacy. In his role as coordinator of the JCPOA, under UN Security Council Resolution 2231, the High Representative expressed his continued readiness to facilitate a diplomatic solution that addresses the concerns of different sides. The UN High Level week provides an occasion to be in touch with relevant parties.
Both sides acknowledged the importance of dialogue to address current geopolitical and bilateral challenges.
