APD | Rouhani urges EU to adopt independent stances on regional issues

By APD writer Muhammad Sohail

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Thursday night urged the European Union to adopt an independent stance on regional issues, especially in the current situation, local media reported.

During the phone call with Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Contes, Rouhani described the United States acts as a serious threat to regional security and said that the assassination of Lieutenant General Soleimani is rooted in the U.S. anger over the commander of fighting terrorism and Daesh in the region.

"Regional nations are angry over the US acts and all of us should try to curb the US wayward government's strategic mistakes and make it comply with the law," said the president, adding that the establishment of security in the region is possible only if all respect law.

Referring to joint collaboration between Iran and the EU members on main regional issues, Rouhani said that the European Union has a heavy responsibility for global issues and it should adopt stances independently and work for regional and global peace.

Reiterating that the regional problems should be solved by the region itself, the Iranian president added that Iraqi parliament's decisive vote on the U.S. troops withdrawal is a clear response to its interventions and illegal acts.

Italian Prime Minister said that the Italian government understands the Iranian nation's outrage and sorrow over the recent assassination. He called for easing tensions in the region, adding that Italy will do its best to reduce tension and reinforce peace and security in the region.

During the conversation, the two sides described friendship of the two nations as deep-rooted, saying that the two countries' capacities should be used in line with deepening bilateral relations and strengthening peace and security in the region.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)