In response to Iran’s sanctioning of Members of the European Parliament, the European Parliament’s delegations and committees will no longer engage with Iranian authorities. President Metsola announced this as she opened the Plenary Session in Strasbourg.
© European Union | The President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola addressing the Plenary Session in Strasbourg
Last week, we saw a death sentence imposed on arrested protesters in Iran. The European Parliament strongly opposes capital punishment and the violent oppression of legitimate protests. I urge Iranian authorities to stop here and now.
The European Parliament welcomes the addition of 29 individuals and three entities to the list of those subject to restrictive measures or sanctions. We call on Member States to keep the pressure up.
In response to the unacceptable Iranian sanctioning of Members of this House, let me announce that there shall be no direct contact between European Parliament delegations and committees with official Iranian counterparts, until further notice.
We will not look away from those who look to us from the streets of Iran. We are with you. We will stay with you.