Russian diplomat lashes out at EU for "dual approaches" to Iran

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov on Monday criticized the European Union for its "dual approaches" to Iran.

"The EU must rise above its dual approaches when they try not to annoy the Americans, and to do something so that Iran sees real efforts, and to make the right choice by deciding in favor of real cooperation," RIA Novosti news agency quoted Ryabkov as saying.

Speaking to reporters after a reception in Iran's embassy in Moscow, Ryabkov said that the EU and a number of its members have applied sanctions to Iran against the rules of international law and UN Security Council's resolutions.

He said that the demands of European countries to reduce or close the Iranian missile program resulted from their "desire to please the Americans."

Russia finds it unacceptable and will explain the "fallacy and harmfulness" of such a course at a meeting of the Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) expected in March, he said.

The commission restricts Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for the easing of the sanctions on the Islamic republic.

Meanwhile, Ryabkov recalled that European countries have taken certain steps to create conditions for normal economic cooperation with Iran, including the INSTEX mechanism.

Last week, the EU announced the setting up of INSTEX (Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges) by Britain, Germany and France to secure trade with Iran and skirt U.S. anti-Iran sanctions after Washington pulled out of the 2015 landmark Iranian nuclear deal last May.

"Our position, if described briefly and concisely, can be reduced to a phrase that something is better than nothing," Ryabkov said.

On the other hand, he noted that the authors of this mechanism could not ensure its opening for third countries, first of all, for Russia and others who are interested in legal cooperation with Iran.

Russia will seek full-fledged participation in the activities of this mechanism and continue relevant efforts in direct contacts with the countries concerned, Ryabkov added.