WANA (Aug 15) – Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said foreign interventions in regional affairs will not contribute to sustainable security, emphasizing Iran’s support for peace and stability in the region.

 

Speaking Friday afternoon local time at the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Prime Ministers’ meeting in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, Aref welcomed the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan and reaffirmed Iran’s consistent stance on respecting the territorial integrity of all nations.

 

He expressed appreciation for what he called the “constructive and encouraging positions” of EAEU member states regarding Israeli and U.S. attacks on Iranian territory, particularly against Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities.

 

Aref criticized the United Nations Security Council for what he described as inaction in the face of “gross violations of international law and the UN Charter” by Israel and the United States.

 

Turning to Gaza, Aref condemned what he called the “criminal actions” of Israel, including the imposition of famine and hunger on civilians and its intention to fully occupy the territory.

 

He said these actions highlight the shared and collective responsibility of all governments to stop “gross violations of international humanitarian law, war crimes, and crimes against humanity” in Gaza.

 

Full text of Dr. Aref’s remarks is as follows:

“In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

 

His Excellency Mr. Adilbek Kasymaliev
Honorable Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic,

 

At the outset, I wish to express my pleasure at participating once again in the meeting of the Intergovernmental Council of the Eurasian Economic Union. I extend my gratitude to Your Excellency and the esteemed Government of Kyrgyzstan for the excellent organization of this important meeting in the beautiful city of Cholpon-Ata, and to the dear people of the Kyrgyz Republic for their generous hospitality. I also thank Mr. Sargsentayev and his colleagues at the Eurasian Economic Commission for their planning and coordination of this meeting.

 

Mr. Chairman, distinguished colleagues, honored guests,

In February of this year, in Almaty, which marked the first participation of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the capacity of Observer at the Intergovernmental Council of the Eurasian Economic Union, I shared with you my views regarding the strengthening of regional convergence and the deepening of relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Union.

 

The recent summit of the Union’s leaders in Minsk coincided with the brutal aggressions of the Zionist regime and the United States of America against the Islamic Republic of Iran. For this reason, H.E. Dr. Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, was unable to attend in person and instead conveyed his views virtually.

 

Taking this opportunity, I must once again thank the member states of the Union for their constructive and encouraging positions in response to these aggressions and attacks against the Islamic Republic of Iran. This came at a time when we witnessed the inaction of the United Nations Security Council in the face of the gross violations of international law and the UN Charter by the Zionist regime and the United States.

 

The aggression against a member state of the United Nations, the attack on Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities, the killing of civilians, the illegal and criminal operations against military personnel outside their mission area, and against university professors, as well as the slaughter of women, children, and ordinary citizens, further exposed the Zionist regime’s goals of spreading insecurity in the region.

 

At present, the world is also witnessing the actions of the Zionist regime in imposing famine and hunger on the oppressed people of Gaza, and even its decision to fully occupy it—clear examples of crimes against humanity and the continuation of genocide. The Islamic Republic of Iran, while strongly condemning these actions, once again reminds the international community of the shared and collective responsibility of all governments to stop the gross violations of international humanitarian law, war crimes, and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

 

Excellencies,

We are pleased that the Free Trade Agreement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union is now in force, providing exceptional opportunities for national economies, economic operators, sustainable economic development, and the deepening of constructive cooperation at the regional level.

 

The first meeting of the Joint Working Group on the Agreement, co-chaired by the Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Minister of Trade of the Eurasian Economic Union, is scheduled to be held in the second half of September this year. It will review reports on progress from the various sub-working groups under the Agreement, ensure effective and full implementation, and finalize the cooperation roadmap.

 

Economic actors in Iran are increasingly aware of the benefits and capacities of the Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement and are determined to engage more in the supply and value chains of this economic union.

 

As I stated in the previous meeting in Almaty, the existing capacities in the Eurasian region and in the Islamic Republic of Iran call for new areas of cooperation to be placed on the agenda. In parallel with the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement, we are ready to expand cooperation in other key areas such as trade and energy, new technologies, transit, and communications. Without doubt, cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran in these areas will benefit the Union and strengthen its goals.

 

Moreover, we require collective resilience in the face of future shocks—shocks such as energy insecurity, food insecurity, climate change, threats arising from new technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, and the growing risks of monopoly and dominance in global financial and monetary systems. We therefore need a collective movement towards strengthening economic cooperation and building resilient national and regional economies.

 

At the recent Supreme Council meeting of the Eurasian Economic Union in Minsk, the esteemed heads of member states proposed important ideas for cooperation within the Union.

 

These are of interest to the Islamic Republic of Iran as well. As an observer and a reliable, committed partner, we are ready to help advance these ideas and initiatives, such as strengthening financial mechanisms based on national currencies, developing sustainable transport infrastructure and facilitating the movement of goods and passengers, producing joint products, enhancing research innovation centers for developing new technologies and products, strengthening cooperation in key areas such as digital governance and economy, artificial intelligence, creating joint infrastructure for communication networks and modern technologies, and cooperation in creating and developing platforms for providing commercial, financial, and educational services.

 

Mr. Chairman, distinguished colleagues,

The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that the Eurasian Economic Union can be a pioneer in building a regional economy. The future world will be shaped by regional alliances and convergence, and our region—with mechanisms such as the Eurasian Economic Union and the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO)—can, with its vast resources and potential, play an influential role in shaping the future global order and preserving and enhancing the power of its members against growing pressures and challenges.

 

The countries of this Union must stand united against the actions and restrictions imposed by certain states to deprive others of access to science and technology. Cooperation and partnership between regional unions is now more important than ever, and our region can take the lead in this regard.

 

In this context, the Islamic Republic of Iran, while emphasizing the strengthening of peace and stability in the region, welcomes the peace agreement between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, and reiterates its consistent position on respecting the territorial integrity of countries. We believe that interventions from outside the region will not contribute to sustainable security.

 

In conclusion, I once again emphasize that cooperation between Iran and the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union is not merely an economic partnership, but a long-term strategy to build a strong region through strengthening national sovereignties, facilitating transport and trade, cooperating in the field of energy, developing technology, creating joint financial and banking infrastructures, and increasing people-to-people connections.

 

I wish this meeting success and prosperity, well-being, and bright horizons for the peoples of the Eurasian Economic Union.

 

Thank you for your attention.”

at the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Prime Ministers’ meeting in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan. Social media/ WANA News Agency

at the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Prime Ministers’ meeting in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan. Social media/ WANA News Agency