New York, 26 September 2023 (TDI): On the sidelines of the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian held a meeting with Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican secretary for relations.
During the meeting, Amirabdollahian underscored the significance of dialogue and cooperation with the Vatican, especially in light of the Pope’s ideas.
He emphasized that dialogue among leaders and followers of different faiths is crucial in today’s world, particularly when religious sanctities and holy books are desecrated.
Amirabdollahian expressed concerns over certain governments using freedom of speech as a pretext to permit the desecration of religious sanctities and divine books, deeming it indefensible.
He mentioned that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi highlighted this issue in his address to the UNGA and thanked the Pope for condemning the burning of the holy Quran, urging European countries to do the same.
Amirabdollahian also discussed Iran’s efforts to establish peace and end the war in Ukraine, emphasizing that Iran does not view war as a solution and supports initiatives aimed at achieving peace in the region.
He pointed out the ongoing issue of terrorism in the region, emphasizing the need for global attention to address this challenge.
Furthermore, he criticized the use of sanctions by certain countries as a political tool against other nations, highlighting that sanctions not only have inhumane consequences but also complicate regional issues.
Amirabdollahian conveyed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s greetings to the Pope, and Gallagher expressed his satisfaction with the meeting, acknowledging the importance of the views expressed by the Iranian foreign minister.
Gallagher also welcomed the resumption of diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia, anticipating positive impacts on the region. Regarding Ukraine, he called for collective efforts to establish peace, and he stressed the importance of dialogue in resolving global problems and issues.
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He expressed his readiness to engage in talks with the Iranian side on matters of mutual interest.
The meeting between the Iranian Foreign Minister and the Vatican Secretary for Relations highlights the diplomatic engagement and discussions taking place on the sidelines of the UNGA, addressed various global issues and underscored the importance of dialogue and cooperation on matters of mutual concern.
 in New York, Iranian Foreign Minister...(Read more)){kind=link}