The United Nations Security Council holds a debate on the UN-EU cooperation at the UN headquarters in New York March 12, 2019. EU foreign affairs and security policy chief Federica Mogherini on Tuesday championed multilateralism and defended EU's position to preserve the Iran nuclear deal. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

UNITED NATIONS, March 12 (Xinhua) -- The European Union's foreign affairs and security policy chief Federica Mogherini on Tuesday championed multilateralism at the United Nations and defended the EU's position to preserve the Iran nuclear deal.

"The European Union and the United Nations were born out of the same founding idea after the two world wars: the idea that in order to avoid yet another catastrophe, we need to have a multilateral mechanism, a mechanism to work toward win-win solutions as the only alternative to a new continental and world war," Mogherini told the Security Council in a debate on UN-EU cooperation.

"This idea is still valid. And over the decades, our elective affinity has grown even stronger. There is a 'European way' to peace and security, and it is identical to the 'UN way' to peace and security."

She said that it is a way that rests on mediation, peacekeeping operations, sustainable development, the protection of human rights, humanitarian assistance and the respect for shared rules.

"Our support for the UN and for multilateralism is a choice based on our values. At the same time, it is a pragmatic choice. A decision taken in a multilateral context is by definition more democratic and more inclusive, and therefore more robust and more sustainable over time."

"You will never hear the European Union question whether the UN serves our interests and values, because we know that it serves universal interests and values. And we know that this is a precondition for building sustainable peace and security, which is in our own ultimate interests, always," said Mogherini.

She defended the July 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and the six world powers of Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States, citing the need for "a solid multilateral architecture for non-proliferation and disarmament."

Under the deal, Iran agreed to limit its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. The United States unilaterally withdrew from the deal in May 2018 and later reinstated sanctions against Iran.

"Our collective security requires a solid multilateral architecture for non-proliferation and disarmament. This is why the European Union will continue to work to preserve the nuclear deal with Iran," said Mogherini.

The deal is a contribution to collective security, is a way to prevent nuclear proliferation, she said.

"The global architecture for disarmament and non-proliferation is being questioned like never before. And to me, this is one of the greatest paradoxes of our times," said Mogherini. "A new arms race -- and a nuclear arms race in particular -- can only make the world less secure."

Iran's implementation of its nuclear-related commitments has been confirmed in 14 consecutive reports of the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the latest verification being just a couple of weeks ago, she said.

"Alongside Iran's implementation, the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions is an essential part of the deal. So we will continue to work to preserve the economic dividends of sanctions lifting."

Mogherini said the EU has serious issues with Iran's behavior on other matters, starting with ballistic missiles, human rights and the regional dynamics. "But with no nuclear deal, any discussion with Iran would be much more difficult, not easier. Dismantling a deal that works will never be a good starting point to advance our collective security interests."

She also saw the role of multilateralism in finding a solution to the political crisis in Venezuela.

The EU believes that an international initiative can help build a peaceful and democratic way out of the crisis, she said. "For this reason, we have set up an International Contact Group with European and Latin American countries to help create the conditions for a political process that would lead to free and fair presidential elections, in accordance with international standards and the Venezuelan Constitution."

"Even when there is no multilateral framework, we work to build or rebuild one," she explained. "No military interventions, from inside or outside the country would be acceptable for us. And a solution cannot be, and should not be imposed from the outside."

In the meantime, the EU is working together with relevant UN agencies to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those in need inside and outside Venezuela, following the key principles of humanitarian law and avoiding any politicization of the aid delivery, she said.

In all these cases, the EU's strongest interest is to restore peace and security. And this is only possible in a multilateral framework, she said.

Venezuela has been in political tension since Jan. 23 when National Assembly President Juan Guaido declared himself the Latin American country's interim president and was recognized by the United States and some other countries.