Belgian Prime Minister Says US Cannot Choose Europe's Business Partners

The European Union cannot allow the United States to decide on Europe's trading partners, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said on Wednesday, referring to the US sanctions on companies currently engaged in business transactions with Iran.

BRUSSELS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 26th September, 2018) The European Union cannot allow the United States to decide on Europe's trading partners, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said on Wednesday, referring to the US sanctions on companies currently engaged in business transactions with Iran.

Michel was the first Western leader to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. Starting January, Belgium will join the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member for two years.

"We cannot agree to the United States deciding on the regions where European companies are allowed to do business and develop trade," the prime minister told the RTBF broadcaster.

According to Michel, the Iran nuclear deal opens channels for a political dialogue to support forces that seek to modernize Iran, strengthen its economy and commit to nuclear de-escalation.

Earlier in the year, the United States withdrew from the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and reimposed sanctions against Tehran and any country doing business with Iranian companies. The first batch of restrictions has already taken effect, and the second will come in November.

Following the United States' withdrawal, the other parties to the JCPOA � the European Union, China, France, Germany, Iran, Russia and United Kingdom � have expressed their commitment to the agreement. The European Union even went on to introduce legislation shielding Iran-based EU companies from US sanctions.