Lisbon to summon Israel envoy for criticizing Mottaki visit
Ahead of meeting between Iranian FM and his Portuguese counterpart, Ehud Gol says it is disappointing some European countries acting contrary to decisions of European institution they are part of'
A day after Portugal welcomed Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, Lisbon said Wednesday it will summon Israel's ambassador over a strongly-worded statement criticizing the move.
"The ambassador of Israel will be summoned," a Portuguese foreign ministry spokesman told reporters on Wednesday.
In his statement on Tuesday, Israel's ambassador to Portugal, Ehud Gol, called Iran a "pariah regime" and urged the country against dialogue with Tehran.
"It is extraordinarily surprising and disappointing that some European countries are acting contrary to the decisions of the European institution of which they are a part," said the statement sent to the Portuguese news agency, LUSA.
"By opening their doors to senior representatives of this pariah regime, these countries are sending a dangerously ambiguous message to Tehran," Gol added.
'Ambiguous message.' Mottaki (L) and Amado (Photo: AFP)
The remarks came ahead of a meeting between Mottaki and his Portuguese counterpart Luis Amado on Tuesday.
Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon backed Gol, saying the ambassador's comments were "appropriate and justified in accordance with Israeli police and international calls to isolate the regime of the ayatollahs in Tehran until it stops seeking nuclear capabilities and stops supporting terror."
While in Lisbon, the top Iranian diplomat is also slated to hold talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, whose country - along with Brazil - has been urging a diplomatic end to the standoff over Iran's nuclear program.
Following his meeting with Amado on Wednesday, Davutoglu said his country will remain engaged in diplomatic efforts to resolve the international dispute over Iran's nuclear program.
The United States and its allies warn Tehran's program is geared toward making nuclear weapons. Iran insists its activities are for peaceful purposes such as power generation.
"We do not want to have any nuclear weaponry system in our region," Davutoglu said.
AFP, AP contributed to the report
