IRNA -- Chairperson of the Committee on International Relations Van der Maelen on Wednesday voiced readiness for doing everything to save the JCPOA, saying that currently, the EU is responsible for preserving the deal.


In a meeting with the Head of Iranian Majlis Research Center Kazem Jalali, he added that Belgian Parliament believes that US sanction against Iran is illegal.

Jalali is currently in Brussels at the head of a parliamentary delegation for talks with European political and parliamentary officials.

The Belgian official further noted that based on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran has fulfilled all its commitments under the deal.

The IAEA in its 12th periodical report on Thursday once again verified Iran's adherence to its nuclear deal with world powers known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

“Most of the Belgian representatives believe that Belgium and EU should cushion the effect of the sanctions and have serious plans for preserving the JCPOA,” he said.

“I announce on behalf of all the MPs and Belgian government that we are ready for preserving the JCPOA,” he said.

Given US recent policies, Belgian Foreign Policy Commission will convene expert sessions on developments unfolding in Middle East, the JCPOA and trans-Atlantic ties, Maelen said.

He also said that Yemeni crisis is among the issues of high significance for Belgian Committee on Foreign Policy.

“We in Belgium and Europe are strongly against Trump and will never stand US unilateral moves in the international scene,” he said, noting that Trump is violator of global order.

“Given the significance of EU’s international independence, we believe that they should cooperate in fighting terrorism and extremism,” he said.

Jalali, for his part, hailed Iran-Belgium ties, saying that the two countries have had desirable parliamentary relations over the past years.

Referring to Iran-Belgium economic relations, he said economic ties experienced a sharp rise last year but they should increase further.

Belgium’s political stance regarding the JCPOA was positive, but under current circumstances, Europe needs to do practical and plausible measures, Jalali said.

The JCPOA has been an opportunity for multilateralism in the international equations, he said, noting that Europe played a crucial role in it, the talks first started between Iran and Europe.

Iran has fulfilled all its commitments under the JCPOA, he said, noting that IAEA has so far verified Iran’s compliance with the deal for 12 times.

The Vice president of World Inter-Parliamentary Union called for practical, serious and plausible measures by the EU states with regards to the JCPOA, saying that the Iranian nation demands practical steps by the European countries.

He also criticized international community’s silence on Yemen situation, he said that they have kept mum while one of the worst humanitarian catastrophe against women and children is taking place in the impoverished country.