Multilateralism, an intl. obligation to overcome crises: Zarif

AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif believes multilateralism is the only appropriate reaction to severe global crises, adding that while many governments accept it, there is yet lack of multilateralism in the world.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has constantly supported multilateralism as a principle in its foreign policy; so, it abided by promoting common, collaborative and sustainable security in West Asia.

FM Zarif has underlined that Tehran has shown its compliance to diplomacy and negotiations through active participation in different international communities in order to address numerous challenges, including talks in Vienna, Austria, to revive the 2015 nuclear deal.

The Iranian determination to comply with negotiation and diplomacy has happened despite the Europeans' inaction to keep up their side of the bargain and the United States' insisting on maintaining the failed policy of "maximum pressure" on the Islamic nation.

The international multilateralism has been weakened and bullying policy of certain powers has threatened the implementation of this world order to strengthen unilateralism, Zarif said, adding, "The radical unilateral adventurism by the United States is the most important challenge that we all have been facing somehow. This situation also declines rule of law at international level and threatens peace and stability throughout the world."

Certain nations have been threatened via economic terrorism and military incursions for years, and other countries have been enduring pressures caused by the United States' biased policies.

Multilateralism is not a choice for today's world, but it is a necessity, because the Trump administration highlighted unilateralism, which harmed peace and security at international level. The administration of former US president Donald Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and created several problems for international players, including the Islamic Republic itself.

Because of taking unilateral approach towards international issues, the United States has not played the role of an accountable player in recent years, when it came to international crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, inequality and poverty, environmental troubles, global violence and tensions, immigration dilemma as well as unrest in Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria and other countries throughout the world.

Of course, it is obvious that the need for multilateral strategies prompts governments to adopt multilateralism at international level. In today's world, all countries should be able to play their role in a broader picture, which is international responsibility.

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