NOS News • today, 15:07 • Amendedtoday, 15:39 Minister Veldkamp receives Iranian colleague for discussion on 'de-escalation'
Minister of Foreign Affairs Veldkamp is receiving his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi today. "The aim is to achieve de-escalation in the Middle East," Veldkamp wanted to say about the aim of the conversation.
The minister did not go into "the details". According to Veldkamp, ??Iran is disrupting the region "through its proxies, through its vassals". Among those organisations supported by Iran are Hamas and Hezbollah, both of which are involved in a battle with Israel.
Don't bend your knees Veldkamp emphasizes that Iran is not a regime that is close to the Netherlands, "but it is important to have contact with them". "The fact that you enter into talks does not mean that you give in".
It is not the first time that Veldkamp has spoken to his Iranian counterpart about the unrest and violence in the Middle East. In early October, the two spoke by telephone after Iranian missile attacks on Israel. And a month ago, Veldkamp passed on an Israeli message about an imminent attack on Iran to Araghchi.
Last week it was announced that a planned trip by Veldkamp to Israel would not go ahead. According to the ministry, it was decided in joint consultation between the Netherlands and Israel that the trip would be cancelled. Reference was made to "the current circumstances", without specifying this further.
Friendly countries On the day the trip was cancelled, an arrest warrant was issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. In a debate in the House, Veldkamp said when asked that Netanyahu would be arrested if he came to Dutch soil. Shortly afterwards, Israeli media reported that Veldkamp was no longer welcome.
But the mediating role of Veldkamp, ??who was previously ambassador to Israel, does not seem to be over. The minister said that he had contacted "friendly countries" prior to today's meeting. This may indicate that Veldkamp had contact with Israel about this in advance.
The Dutch minister further said that "a number of other countries" will also enter into talks with Iran this week.
