Iran slams ‘economic terrorism’ at Turkmenistan summit

Tehran, IRNA – Deputy Iranian Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Reza Njafai has rapped countries that impose unilateral coercive measures including sanctions against other nations, saying that the measures are regarded as economic terrorism.

Najafi was addressing a United Nations-backed summit in Turkmenistan’s capital Ashgabat on Saturday.

He said that the unilateral coercive measures weaken international peace and security, clearly violate human rights, and prevent the socioeconomic development of the targeted countries.

In addition, he added, the countries that impose the coercive measures are in fact using medicines and medical equipment as a weapon against patients, which is a “shameful, illegal and inhumane” act.  

The Iranian official stressed that sanctions and coercive measures are not a solution to world challenges. Instead, he added, these challenges should be resolved through dialog as well as mutual respect and cooperation based on international law.

Ashgabat hosted the first meeting of the Group of Friends of Neutrality for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development.

Proposed by Turkmenistan, the group was established at the UN in August 2020 and currently has 20 members.

It aims to “facilitate regular dialog internationally, in particular within the United Nations, on practical use of peacekeeping potential of states building their policies on the principles of neutrality,” according to the website of Turkmenistan’s Foreign Ministry.