Brussels, 20/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 20 January, as expected, the foreign affairs ministers of the EU adopted the suspension of certain EU sanctions against Iran for a period of six months, following confirmation of the entry into force of the agreement on the Iranian side. “Pursuant to the joint action plan agreed between the E3+3 and Iran (on 24) November in Geneva, we have decided to start to implement a six-month phase of initial trust-building measures aiming to respond to international concerns regarding Iran's nuclear activities”, High Representative Catherine Ashton said.
This means that sanctions on the provision of insurance and transport services related to sales of Iranian crude oil to the country's current clients are now suspended. This will affect China, India, South Korea, Japan, Turkey and Taiwan. The ban on the import, purchase and transport of Iranian petrochemical products and related services has been suspended and, in order to allow the transport of Iranian crude oil and petrochemical products, the ban on the supply of vessels is also suspended. The ban on the purchase and sales of gold and precious metals with the Iranian government, public bodies and the Central Bank of Iran is also suspended. Lastly, the authorisation thresholds for financial transfer have also been increased tenfold in order to facilitate legitimate trade with Iran.
The suspension will remain in place for a period of six months, during which the contracts in question must be executed. The other sanctions will remain in force. The legal acts adopted were published on the evening of 20 January and entered into force on the same day.
Although the implementation of the measures “is an important first step”, “other work will be necessary in order to respond to the concerns of the international community regarding the exclusively peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear programme. We aim to start talks on a global solution with Iran in February”, announced Ashton, who will meet the political directors of the E3+3 this Tuesday 21 January in Geneva to discuss planning, amongst other things. (CG with MD/transl.fl)