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Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki appeared before the European
Parliament's foreign affairs committee today to discuss the country's
nuclear programme and other issues concerning current EU-Iran relations.

Marietje Schaake (D66, Netherlands), ALDE spokesperson on Iran,
followed the discussion first hand:

"A constructive and
realistic dialogue, even in the most difficult circumstances, can yield
results but so far the Iranian government has shown little realism in
assessing its relationship with Europe. Whilst Iran's nuclear programme
is clearly a high priority on the international agenda, we should not
ignore the state of human rights prevailing in the country."

"The
foreign minister came to us requesting dialogue but was only really
interested in monologue, refusing to answer any question related to
human rights and sticking blindly to the script that the elections in
Iran had been free and fair."

"The qualification of Iran as a
democracy, supported by the people, as Minister Mottaki portrayed his
country, indicates a grossly misleading picture of the reality we have
witnessed since the contested Presidential elections."

"The
Iranian regime has shown a deep disdain for justice and human rights.
Impunity so far prevails over justice." Schaake says.

"It is
most important, as elected representatives of the people of Europe, that
the Iranian people know we stand by them, and their struggle for
fundamental rights and democracy."