Referring to EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton’s “unofficial and uncoordinated” meetings in Tehran, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said that the European bloc pursues selective political and double standard approaches to the important issue of human rights.

“Such measures will lead to an increase in the suspicion of our citizens with regards to the West and will not help [improve] relations between Iran and the European Union,” Afkham added.

Afkham noted that contacts with the civil society is a normal practice in foreign relations as long as it is not seen as interference in a country’s domestic affairs just the way the Iranian foreign minister too holds meetings with the civil society groups during his visits to other countries.

Heading a politico-economic delegation, Ashton arrived in Tehran on Saturday and met with senior Iranian officials, including President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

The EU foreign policy chief held a meeting with some human right activists in Tehran.

Ashton’s trip comes upon a January invitation by the Iranian foreign minister.

RA/NJF