Europe uses Instex system to get medical aid to coronavirus hit Iran
Germany, France and Great Britain have sent a shipment of medicine to Iran. The two fronts to work together for "other transactions and to improve the mechanism". Dozens of US MPs write to the White House to ease sanctions on the Islamic Republic. In Iran 45 thousand Covid-19 cases and 2900 victims.
Tehran (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Three European nations yesterday sent a shipment of medicine to Iran, the nation most affected by the new coronavirus pandemic in the Middle East, for the first time using the Instex system set up to stem US sanctions on Tehran. "France, Germany and the United Kingdom confirm that INSTEX has successfully concluded its first transaction, facilitating the export of medical goods from Europe to Iran. These goods are now in Iran," the German foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
The payment scheme was officially announced a little over a year ago and intends to encourage trade between the European parties and the Islamic Republic, without incurring US sanctions. The three countries are among the most critical of Washington's policy of confrontation. However, to date it had never been applied. "Instex and the Iranian counterpart Stfi - concludes the statement - will work for other transactions and to improve the mechanism".
In reality, medicines and basic necessities should not be included in the list of goods and businesses subject to punitive measures by the White House, although reports of blockades and restrictions on Iran have emerged in the past to the detriment of the sick. For this reason, analysts and experts point out that Paris, Berlin and London have made a "political" and "propaganda" use of the mechanism, thus sending a message to the Iranian population and its moderate leadership, including President Rouhani and the Foreign Minister. Zarif.
Following the dispatch of medicines and aid from Europe, a group of 34 US parliamentarians - including the Democratic Presidential candidateBernie Sanders - sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, asking for a relaxation of the sanctions. In response, the White House did not rule out a measure without giving further details or timelines, while in Iran there is a struggle to fight the pandemic.
According to the latest data, the new coronavirus has infected nearly 45 thousand people, there are 2900 official victims but the numbers could be underestimated. To date, just under 15 thousand people have recovered. However, a European source explains that the material delivered via Instex is not connected to Covid-19, because the transaction had been underway since December, well before the emergency began. Finally, maximum confidentiality both on suppliers and on the type of goods sent.
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23/04/2020 09:56
