Luxembourg/Brussels, 18/04/2016 (Agence Europe) - During a visit to Teheran by a large delegation of the Commission, led by the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, on Saturday 16 April, the EU and Iran agreed on a broad agenda for bilateral cooperation aiming to tighten their bilateral political and economic links.
In a joint statement adopted by Mogherini and the Italian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, detailing the commitments of both parties for each area of cooperation, the two sides first of all reaffirm their commitment in the implementation of the joint comprehensive plan of action (JCPOA) on the supervision of the Iranian nuclear programme, which was adopted on 16 January, opening the way for sanctions against Iran to be lifted and ushering in a “new chapter” in EU/Iran relations.
At a press conference closing the work, Mogherini referred to “dialogue of the 4 Cs - complete, cooperative, critical if necessary and always constructive” between the EU and Iran, who will first of all reinforce their political dialogue, via annual consultations between the High Representative of the EU and the head of Iranian diplomacy. Mogherini and Zarif went on to announce that an EU liaison team was to be sent to Teheran to facilitate the implementation of the cooperation programme and the work to prepare for the launch of an EU delegation in Iran. Both sides also expressed their determination to reinforce and promote human rights and their intention to engage in dialogue on the question.
As regards economic issues, the EU and Iran share a desire to engage in macro-economic and financial dialogue, including initiatives on: banking and financial cooperation, the EU stating that it is prepared to assist Iran in fighting money laundering and the financing of terrorism; the prospect of an EIB loan to improve the availability of financing for investments in Iran; cooperation in a number of industrial sectors (textiles, tourism, raw materials and construction).
On banking, the two sides took pains to reassure European banks which are reluctant to intervene in Iran due to fears of American extra-territorial measures. “We will be putting pressure (on the United States) to ensure that they will pave the way for cooperation between non-American banks and Iran”, Zarif explained. “We cannot force anyone, but we will do all in our power to reassure European banks to engage in Iran”, Mogherini added.
To renew their dialogue on trade and investment, the EU and Iran have not yet agreed to carry out exchanges of visits of delegations at expert level and at the appropriate level in the coming months. It is therefore not yet a question of resuming negotiations for a trade and cooperation agreement, on ice since August 2005 (see EUROPE 11531).
In the field of energy, the EU and Iran agreed to launch a high-level energy dialogue including oil and gas, electricity, renewable energies and energy efficiency.
Both sides also wish to step up cooperation in the civil nuclear field, through an initial cooperation project in the field of nuclear safety, aiming to help the authorities responsible for the civil nuclear programme in Iran through EU assistance. Additionally, the EU will share with Iran its experience acquired in the stress tests of the nuclear power stations of Europe and its neighbour countries. The cooperation programme also provides for cooperation options in fission and fusion research activities, and the possibility of a regional conference on nuclear safety.
On the environment, the two parties wish to establish cooperation for the treatment of air, soil and water pollution, the management of water resources, the conservation and sustainable use of nature, biodiversity, desertification and waste management.
The EU and Iran also wish to boost their cooperation in the field of science, research and innovation, by reinforcing Iran's involvement in the programme Horizon 2020 and the setting in place of partnerships, researcher mobility and collaborative research activities.
On foreign policy, the EU and Iran recognise the “gravity of and urgent need to respond to the volatile situation” in the Middle Eastern region, agreeing that the stability of the region was being “jeopardised by terrorism, extremism and violence”. The two parties agreed to work together to build channels for dialogue, mutual confidence and understanding to resolve the regional crises.
They also decided to reinforce the humanitarian cooperation in the crises affecting Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Afghanistan. Mogherini announced that the EU would be making an envelope of €6.5 million available to respond to the needs of a growing number of Afghan refugees in Iran, who are believed to be more than 3 million in number. Of this money, €1.5 million will be earmarked for the integration of 10,000 Afghan children in the Iranian school system. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant and Emmanuel Hagry)