Iran’s Rouhani praises EU countries for accepting Syrian refugees

on September 7, 2021 | 8:02:37

Iranian President Hassan Rohani has praised European Union countries helping the refugees streaming into the 28-nation bloc and urged others to step up their efforts.

“We are happy that some European countries made positive efforts to help refugees and we hope other European countries that do not have this position compensate on shortcomings.” Rouhani said during a meeting with the new Hungarian ambassador in Tehran.

“The world, especially Europe, has a humanitarian and historic duty to (…) help these displaced and stranded people,” Iranian President said, quoted on his website.

Europe has been facing an unprecedented influx this summer of people seeking refuge, many of them from war-torn Syria but also from Africa.

The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, said Saturday that 366,402 refugees have crossed the Mediterranean to Europe this year, with 2,800 killed or missing en route.

Rouhani also noted that Iran is hosting the largest number of refugees in the world from its neighboring countries and has always treated them well.

“All the problems … stem from the threat of radical groups and terrorists that have caused fear and displacement among innocent people in the region,” he said.

The Hungarian envoy, for his part, called Iran a center of security and stability in the region, and referred to the recent nuclear deal reached between Tehran and world powers as a good model for the global community to resolve international issues.

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