Official rejects western media reports on EU delegation's annulled visit to Iran

An Iranian deputy foreign minister categorically denied the western media reports that Tehran had refrained from issuing entry visas for a five-member European parliamentary delegation, and stressed that the two sides are in talks to announce a fixed date for the meeting."There is no problem for the delegation's visit to out country," Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular, Parliamentary and Iranian Expatriates' Affairs Hassan Qashqavi said, reiterating that the western media reports alleging Iran had denied entry visas to the EU parliamentarians are "sheer lies". "Right now, the two sides are coordinating and planning the date and location of the negotiations," Qashqavi added. In a statement issued on Saturday, Rapporteur of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Kazzem Jalali also dismissed the western media repots quoting a statement by the chairwoman of the European delegation, Tarja Cronberg, and stressed that Iran has not cancelled the trip. "I was informed through the media that Mrs. Cronberg, the chairwomen of the European Parliament's delegation for relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, has in a statement informed that the European Parliamentary delegation's visit to Tehran has been cancelled," Jalali stated. Media reports announced earlier this week that the slated European Union lawmakers' trip to Iran in late October and early November was canceled on Wednesday. The trip was organized by five lawmakers, including two German European members of parliament (EMP), Barbara Lochbieler and Kurt Lechner. Radio Free Europe and Kuwait News Agency alleged on Wednesday that Iran had pulled the plug on the planned trip. The news agency quoted the Finish EMP chairwoman of the Iran delegation, Cronberg, as saying in a statement, "This decision means that the visit is effectively canceled, despite considerable preparations and planning. No clear reasons were given for this unexpected decision." She added that the "European parliament's delegation was ready to engage in a constructive dialogue with Iranian parliamentarians, government officials and representatives of civil society on issues such as the nuclear program; human rights; drug related issues; energy and the environment; regional security and the upcoming parliamentary elections in Iran. The delegation very much regrets the fact that the Iranian authorities chose to break off this timely opportunity for dialogue."