2023-06-13 10:12:00
The pedigree of one of the guests, however, sparked strong political reactions. Alireza Zakani, Mayor of Tehran was indeed present this Monday in Brussels to attend this summit.
He was even received at the Brussels City Hall on Monday by Philippe Close, and even spoke. “On the photo, in the first row, fourth from the left, we can see the mayor of Tehran! Founder of the Society of Supporters of the Islamic Revolution, member of the Revolutionary Guards, support of the Iranian regime repressing its population in blood, including in Tehran! His invitation by Pascal Smet is a serious political fault”, tweeted federal deputy Sophie Rohonyi (Challenge).
”It is shocking and regrettable. I ask for explanations: rolling out the red carpet to those who are holding hostages is not acceptable”added David Leisterh (MR), Brussels deputy and president of the Brussels MR, in reference to the recent release of Olivier Vandecasteele following a long detention in Iran.
“We must also link this to Brussels’ status as an international city, and as a diplomatic city. We have therefore applied for a Visa from Foreign Affairs, in the name of Metropolis, so that the mayor of Tehran can participate in the summit. .“
Release of Olivier Vandecasteele: “The capitulation of the Belgian government to the geopolitical vandalism of Tehran is disappointing and disturbing”
Pascal Smet, Brussels State Secretary in charge of European and International Relations, does not deny being at the origin of the invitation launched to the Mayor of Tehran, but strongly qualifies while referring the responsibility to Hadja Lahbib (MR), Minister of Foreign Affairs. “Three international conferences will take place in Brussels in the coming days. They are organized by the Brussels-Capital Region with Metropolis World Congress, Eurocities and the summit of the OECD Champion Mayors Initiative. Tehran is a member of Metropolis World Congress, a global organization of cities with over one million inhabitants. They are the ones who asked us so that Tehran might participate in the summit”, emphasizes Pascal Smet. “This must also be linked to the status of Brussels as an international city, and as a diplomatic city. We therefore applied for a Visa from Foreign Affairs, on behalf of Metropolis, so that they might participate in the summit. But we did say that we would follow the advice of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. And that we would accept a possible refusal. We do not issue Visas.”
However, this summit is not open to everyone, since Russian cities are banned, which is not the case for Iranian women, despite the diplomatic difficulties that Belgium has with the Iranian regime.
Pascal Smet therefore returns the responsibility to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hadja Lahbib (MR).” Inviting the mayor of Tehran to Brussels is clearly a political mistake. But granting him a visa to make this visit possible is just as important! I will ask Hadja Lahbib for explanations”, added Sophie Rohonyi.
Alireza Zakani’s dubious pedigree
Basically, Alireza Zakani can without excess be described as ultra-conservative. This mayor has set up a project in the Iranian capital which, according to its detractors, introduce gender segregation in parks. He was also said to have played an active role in the repression of students. “If he speaks to me, I will tell him straight away that I disagree with ideas. He spoke, of course, but I did not speak to him, nor did Philippe Close for that matter”. continues Pascal Smet.
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