EU envoy in Tehran to discuss removal of illegal sanctions

Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Baqeri-Kani has met with EU deputy foreign policy chief Enrique Mora, who is on a visit to Tehran to discuss, among other things, the future of Vienna talks to remove Washington’s anti-Iran sanctions.

According to Press TV, heading a delegation, Mora arrived in Tehran on Thursday and held a meeting with Baqeri-Kani at Iran’s Foreign Ministry.

High on the agenda of the meeting is bilateral, regional and international issues, including Iran’s relations with the European Union, the issue of Afghanistan, and the efforts to remove the illegal US sanctions and revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Both diplomats announced their meeting a day earlier via their Twitter accounts.

“In line with recent regional and international consultations, I will host @eu_eeas  Deputy Secretary General @enriquemora_ on Thursday. Exchanging views on bilateral & regional issues including Afghanistan, as well as talks on removal of cruel sanctions are on the agenda,” Baqeri-Kani wrote.

“As coordinator of the JCPOA, I will raise the urgency to resume #JCPOA negotiations in Vienna. Crucial to pick up talks from where we left last June to continue diplomatic work,” Mora tweeted.

In recent weeks, there has been mounting pressure on Tehran to return to the negotiating table. President Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi administration has announced on several occasions that it will resume the talks only to remove all of the United States’ illegal sanctions and that it will not take part in negotiations for the sake of negotiations.

Iran has also been critical of the Europeans for their failure to shield business with Tehran in the face of the illegal sanctions.

SS