“UN Inaction During U.S. and Israeli Attacks on Iran.”

Mohammad Reza Aref, this Friday noon local time, spoke at the Eurasian Economic Union Prime Ministers’ meeting held in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan. He added that the Islamic Republic of Iran, while emphasizing the strengthening of peace and stability in the region and welcoming the peace agreement between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan and reaffirming its long-standing positions on respecting the territorial integrity of countries, believes that outside interventions in the region do not contribute to sustainable security.

The First Vice President also, in another part of his speech, expressed gratitude for the constructive and encouraging positions of the EAEU member states regarding the aggressions and attacks by Israel and the United States against Iranian territory, particularly peaceful nuclear facilities, stressing that in this clear aggression, the UN Security Council remained inactive in response to the flagrant violations of international law and the UN Charter by Israel and the United States.

Aref continued by highlighting the crimes of the usurping Israeli regime against the people of Gaza and strongly condemning the imposition of famine and starvation on the oppressed people of Gaza, including the plans for its complete occupation. He noted that these crimes once again underscore the collective responsibility of all governments to stop the flagrant violations of international humanitarian law, war crimes, and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Full Speech of Dr. Aref:

In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

Honorable Mr. Adilbek Kasymaliyev,
Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic,

At the outset, I would like to express my pleasure at once again attending the meeting of the EAEU Intergovernmental Council. I extend my gratitude to Your Excellency and the esteemed government of Kyrgyzstan for properly hosting 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. Sagyn Taif and his colleagues at the EAEU Commission for planning and coordinating this meeting.

Honorable Chairman, esteemed colleagues,
Distinguished participants,

In February of this year in Almaty, during Iran’s first presence in the capacity of an observer in the EAEU Intergovernmental Council, I shared my views on strengthening regional integration and deepening relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Union with you. The recent EAEU summit in Minsk coincided with the brutal aggressions of Israel and the United States against the Islamic Republic of Iran. For this reason, Dr. Mohammad Reza Poursheikh, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, could not attend that meeting and conveyed his views virtually.

I take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the Union member states for their constructive and encouraging positions regarding these aggressions and attacks against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Meanwhile, we have witnessed the UN Security Council’s inaction in response to the flagrant violations of international law and the UN Charter by Israel and the United States. The aggression against a UN member state, attacks on Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities, the killing of civilians, illegal and criminal operations against military forces outside their mission, targeting university professors, and the spilling of blood of women, children, and ordinary citizens have further revealed Israel’s objectives in spreading regional insecurity.

The world is currently witnessing Israel’s actions in imposing famine and starvation on the oppressed people of Gaza and even plans for its complete occupation, which constitutes a clear crime against humanity and a continuation of genocide. The Islamic Republic of Iran, while strongly condemning these actions, once again reminds all governments of their collective responsibility to halt flagrant 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 EAEU is being implemented, providing unprecedented opportunities for national economies, economic actors, sustainable economic development, and the deepening of constructive regional cooperation. The first joint committee meeting of the agreement, chaired by Iran’s Minister of Industry, Mine, and Trade and the EAEU Minister of Trade, is scheduled for the second half of September this year. Progress reports from various committees under the agreement will be reviewed to monitor its full and effective implementation and finalize the roadmap for cooperation.

Economic actors in Iran are increasingly aware of the benefits and capacities of the EAEU trade agreement and are determined to engage further in the Union’s supply and value chains.

As I stated at the previous Almaty meeting, the existing capacities in the Eurasian region and in the Islamic Republic of Iran necessitate exploring new areas of cooperation. We are ready, alongside the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement, to expand cooperation in other key areas, including trade and energy, advanced technologies, transit, and transportation. Undoubtedly, collaboration with Iran in these areas will benefit the Union and strengthen the EAEU’s objectives.

Furthermore, we need collective resilience against future shocks, such as energy insecurity, food insecurity, climate change, threats arising from new technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, and increasing risks due to the monopoly and domination in global financial and monetary systems. Therefore, collective movement towards strengthening economic cooperation and shaping resilient national and regional economies is necessary.

At the recent EAEU Supreme Council meeting in Minsk, distinguished heads of member states proposed important ideas for cooperation within the Union, which are also of interest to the Islamic Republic of Iran. In its capacity as an observer and as a reliable and interested partner, Iran is ready to contribute and participate in advancing these initiatives, such as strengthening financial mechanisms based on national currencies, developing sustainable transport infrastructures and facilitating goods and passenger movement, joint production, enhancing research and innovation centers for new technologies and products, strengthening cooperation in key areas such as governance and digital economy, artificial intelligence, establishing joint communication and technological infrastructures, and cooperating in creating and developing platforms for providing commercial, financial, and educational services.

Honorable Chairman, esteemed colleagues,

The Islamic Republic of Iran believes the EAEU can be a pioneer in establishing a regional economy. The future world will be shaped by regional alliances and integrations, and our region, through mechanisms such as the EAEU and the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), can leverage its vast resources and potentials to influence the future global order and strengthen and preserve its members’ power against increasing pressures and challenges.

The countries of this Union must remain united in the face of actions and restrictions imposed by certain countries to deprive others of access to science and technology. Cooperation and partnership among regional unions is more relevant than ever, and our region can lead in this regard.

In this context, the Islamic Republic of Iran, while emphasizing the strengthening of peace and stability in the region and welcoming the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan and reaffirming its long-standing positions on respecting the territorial integrity of countries, believes that outside interventions in the region do not contribute to sustainable security.

In conclusion, I reiterate that cooperation between Iran and the EAEU member states is not merely an economic partnership but a long-term strategy to create a strong region through strengthening national sovereignty, facilitating transport and trade, cooperating in energy, advancing technology, establishing joint financial and banking infrastructures, and enhancing people-to-people connections.

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

Thank you for your attention.