Brussels, 20/07/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 20 July, the European foreign affairs ministers hailed the international agreement of 14 July on the Iranian nuclear programme - which they described as a “historic moment” (see EUROPE 11359). The Foreign Affairs Council approved a joint comprehensive plan of action (JCPOA), and committed to conforming with its conditions, and to following the implementation plan agreed.
In its conclusions, the EU foreign ministers fully support the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231, adopted unanimously earlier in the day. This resolution approves the JCPOA, urges its full application and prepares for the sanctions against Iran to be lifted.
Underlining the need for all parties to work on implementing the JCPOA, the Council calls on High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini to continue “playing a coordinating role” in this. The ministers also underline that the EU's actions and commitments under the action plan, which are linked to the lifting of sanctions, will be carried out in line with the timetable and modalities specified in the JCPOA.
The Council calls on all the countries to support the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in its task of checking implementation of the JCPOA “including through financial means”.
In addition, the ministers would like the agreement on the Iranian nuclear programme to pave the way to “steady improvement in relations between the European Union, its member states and Iran, as well as improved Iranian regional and international relations, and [to] constitute a basis for a more stable and secure region”.
Mogherini is therefore asked, “in the light of the agreement”, to explore ways in which the EU could actively promote a more cooperative regional framework and to report back to the Council “in the coming months”. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)