Justice Minister Mostafa Pourmohammadi held talks with Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides in Cyprus, ISNA reported on Saturday.
Referring to complicated regional and international conditions and the threat of terrorist and extremist groups, the two officials called for collective cooperation of the world’s countries in the battle against the evil phenomenon.
The justice minister touched on President Hassan Rouhani’s a “World Against Violence and Extremism” initiative, which was proposed in his speech at the UN General Assembly meeting in 2013 and was approved later as a resolution, and said this is indicative of the firm resolve of the Iranian nation to combat extremism and sectarian acts of violence.
He stated, “We do not trust some non-regional countries that claim they are fighting terrorism and dangerous groups, such as the Islamic State (IS).”
Those who had a role in creating and developing such groups cannot be relied on, he said, adding that they show no sincerity in their anti-terror campaign. He called Iran a victim of terrorism and referred to the serious and true resolve of the nation in the fight against extremism and terrorism.
He added Iran, feeling committed to helping preserve the regional stability and security, has always tried to support the “standard-bearers” of the battle against extremist groups, such as IS and al-Nusra Front.
Kasoulides, for his part, expressed concern over the proximity of the area where the IS terrorist group operates to the Mediterranean Sea and Cyprus and said terrorism has posed a serious threat to the West.
Elsewhere, he said, “Cyprus considers the political solution as the only way to address the Syrian crisis and opposes any military action (to deal with) regional issues,” he added. In separate meetings during his visit, the justice minister also held talks with members of the European Parliament and the Cyprus Bar Association.
