In the picture Dr. Alireza Kazemi Abadi, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Netherlands celebrated the 41st Anniversary of the Islamic Revolution and the National Day of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Hundreds of guests came by to felicitate H.E. Dr. Alireza Kazemi Abadi, Ambassador of Iran in the Netherlands. The date was Tuesday 11 February 2020. H.E. Dr. Alireza Kazemi Abadi, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, delivered the following speech.
“It is a real honor for me to welcome you to the celebration of the 41st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution and the National Day of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
This morning, millions of Iranian people came to the streets of all Iranian cities to celebrate the victory of their revolution against oppression, tyranny, arrogance, aggression and external interferences and to demonstrate once again their strong will and determination to stand up against economic terrorism, which manifest itself in the form of the so-called “U.S. maximum pressure campaign”.
In fact, from the outset, the Islamic Republic of Iran was subject to variety of illegal sanctions but the re-imposition of the U.S. sanctions after its unilateral withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA or nuclear deal with Iran) is manifestly in violation of all rules of international law, including the recent ruling of International Court of Justice and provisions of the Security Council resolution 2231.
This new wave of sanctions is part of a larger campaign of economic terrorism, which targets ordinary people with an aim an to starve them to submission. The continuation of these illegal sanctions will certainly constitute crimes against humanity and pose an imminent threat to international peace and security.
The first days of 2020 were very ominous for our nation, for our region and for the whole world. We in Iran lost a legendary hero and a noble soldier and our region lost a great anti-terrorist fighter. In fact, the premeditated vindictive assassination of General Soliemai and his companions by the United States in Iraq brought the Persian Gulf region to the edge of a war.
Shouldn’t have Iran brought the Persian Gulf region to the edge of a war. Shouldn’t have Iran exercised self-restraint to this illegal and provocative act, the region was experiencing another deadly and destructive war whose consequences would most probably have exceeded way beyond the region.
Despite these provocations, the Islamic Republic of Iran has consistently followed its sublime principles; namely the principles of prohibition of the use of force, non-interference in domestic affairs of other nations and commitment to constructive dialogue and engagement with other countries based on the principle of mutual respect.
Today, more than ever we need to cherish the value of dialogue, multilateralism, mutual understanding and respect for the principles of international law. One may put his country first, but we all have to remember in this interdependent world peace, security and economy of each and every state are indivisible from the others’.
In this line and as another step towards promoting peace and tranquility in the Persian Gulf region and beyond, President Ruhani presented his initiative, called HOPE, in last September. It is an endeavor to encourage dialogue and respect among the nations in the region, to strengthen territorial integrity and the inviolability of international borders, and to re-emphasis the principles of peaceful settlement of disputes, non-aggression and non-intervention in internal or external affairs of others.
On bilateral relations between Iran and the Netherlands, please allow me to remind you that the relations between our nations go back to over 400 years ago. Unfortunately, however, in the year 2019, because of the re-imposition of the U.S. extraterritorial sanctions, the level of economic relations between us decreased, but still several high-level political delegations were exchanged and we are expecting some ministerial visits in very near future. We on our part and as the embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran try our outmost to strengthen the bond of friendship between our nations and to develop the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Before concluding, I would like to thank my colleagues in the embassy and their families who worked hard to make today’s event a successful one. I also thank Mr. Fadaei, who let us to display some of the paintings in the form of small exhibition at the margin of this reception. I strongly recommend you to visit the exhibition before you leave.
Once again thank you for joining us and I hope you enjoy the rest of the evening with us.”
