Russian Shiite figure advises Europe against wrong US policies

Head of Russia Shiite Association Nizami Baloglanov said the European Union (EU) should be vigilant not to sacrifice its own interests for Washington’s wrong policies on Iran. In an exclusive interview with IRNA, he referred to Iran as an important player in the international political scene and said those in charge of the European Union are well aware that expansion of ties with Iran will guarantee their benefits. He also pointed to the fragile and vulnerable status of the European economy in the present juncture and stressed that cooperation with Tehran was good for European states that seek some of their demand for energy since Iran produces a remarkable portion of oil and gas. The Shiite scholar also noted that rising differences among European countries during their last meeting in Brussels over decisions to impose unilateral sanctions against Iran, apposed by such countries as Italy and Greece, indicate to what extent the EU states are affected by the US policies. He regretted that the EU leaders are ready to sacrifice the interests of their nations for Washington’s biased and fanatic policies. Stressing that the interests of Europe was tied to settlement of Iran’s nuclear issue through dialogue, Baloglanov further noticed that the EU should avoid imposing sanctions against Iran and continue to cooperate with the country.