Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has reprimanded the European Union for its hostile policies against the Islamic Republic, saying the country has never sought to avenge Europe’s imposition of hardships.

The Iranian nation has taken the brunt of adversity from European countries as in the case of 'the eight-year [Iraqi] imposed war, but it has never sought revenge,' said President Ahmadinejad in a meeting with the new Portuguese ambassador to Iran, Mario Fernando Damash Nunes, on Wednesday.

It is not clear what the European countries and EU will benefit from their enmity and opposition to Iran, added Ahmadinejad.

We believe such a stance is imposed on European countries by leaders of hegemonic powers, the chief Iranian executive pointed out.

He also stated that the current world order is nearing its end and emphasized the need for a replacement for the degenerating one that has nothing to present to humanity.
He further noted that the international relations need to be built on friendship and mutual respect among governments and nations.

The Portuguese ambassador submitted his credentials to the Iranian president and called for enhanced bilateral relations in areas of politics, culture, sports and academy.

He expressed hope that the 27-nation EU would revisit its position on Iran, saying his respective country supports the rights of the Iranian people and their peace and security.

On July 1, the European Union imposed new sanctions mainly against Iran’s oil and banking sectors which were approved by the EU foreign minister on January 23.

The sanctions by the US and EU are meant to pressure the Islamic Republic over its nuclear energy program, which Washington, Israel and some of their allies claim includes a military aspect.
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News ID 182080