European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has rejected Slovenian Prime Minister (PM) Janez Janša’s anti-Iran remarks made last week that he presented the official stance of the Union. Borrell said, “In our institutional setting, the position of a prime minister—even if he’s from the country that holds the rotating Council presidency—does not represent the position of the European Union.”
During a press conference on Monday, Borrell said Iranian Foreign Minister (FM) Javad Zarif had called him on the weekend to ask about the remarks made by Slovenia’s PM and if they represent the Union’s official position. In response, Borrell reassured Iran of the bloc’s balanced approach and said that only the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, can represent the bloc with other countries and governments. Additionally, Borrell said, “Foreign policy remains a competency of [EU] member states and each member state can have the opinion that it sees fit for each issue of international politics. … For me, it’s only up to say whether this position [by Janša] … represents the European Union. And certainly, it does not.”
Last week, in his virtual address during an annual Free Iran World Summit hosted by Iran’s opposition group, the National Council of Resistance of Iran, Janša demanded an inquiry by the United Nations into the execution of Iranian political prisoners in 1988. According to Amnesty International, the Iranian regime was involved in killing more than 2,000 political prisoners. Janša said, “For nearly 33 years, the world had forgotten about the victims of the massacre. This should change.” He also referred to Iran’s Presidential elect, Ebrahim Raisi, who is accused of crimes against humanity during the 1988 massacre.
As per news reports, Iranian officials condemned Janša’s participation in the annual summit and called his remarks “unacceptable, against diplomatic norms and spirit.” In addition, the Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned Kristina Radej, Slovenia’s ambassador to Tehran, to express its displeasure and reject the baseless accusation levelled against the Islamic Republic.
Later, a spokesperson for the Slovenian representative to the EU clarified that the country had no intention of getting involved in Iran’s sovereign affairs. However, the spokesperson said that “the country always advocates for human rights and fundamental freedoms. This is in line with our values and legislation.”
Janša remarks come amid the EU-Slovenia tussle over the rule of law and Slovenia’s autocratic policies regarding media freedom and human rights abuses. It has also sparked tensions with Iran when the EU seeks revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, limiting Iran’s nuclear weapons production.
EU Distances Itself From Slovenia PM Janša Over Remarks on Iran
The European Union’s Foreign Policy Chief has rejected Slovenian PM’s anti-Iran remarks as the official stance of the bloc and assured Iran of its balanced approach.
July 14, 2021
SOURCE: EU OBSERVER