The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, as well as several Foreign Ministers, focused on diplomacy in relations with Iran, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, on Friday 30 August.
"Our common wish is to contribute diplomatically to a more general approach of defusing tensions in the region", stressed the High Representative to the media at the end of the informal Gymnich-type Council in Helsinki.
"The EU's main message is the need to defuse, avoid further escalation and open channels for dialogue and cooperation in the region, clearly and unequivocally respecting the rules-based international order, part of which is fundamental to us, namely the freedom of navigation that includes the Strait of Hormuz", she reported.
Thus, while many initiatives are mentioned, whether it is the US naval escort operation or a surveillance mission led by Member States, Mrs Mogherini insisted on the need for appeasement. According to her, there is a "firm commitment by the European Union and the Member States to support any inclusive and fully responsible initiative in the region, which can lead to a de-escalation, even a limited one, to increased cooperation in the Gulf". According to diplomatic sources, this means that any action should be supported by the countries in the area, including Iran, which seems complicated in the case of a maritime mission.
Mrs Mogherini also explained that the European approach was to assist "Gulf forces trying to engage in a cooperative approach".
When they arrived on the second day of the Gymnich, several Ministers also focused on diplomacy rather than military confrontation. "We are observing the situation. The important thing is to see if, in the days and weeks to come, we can guarantee freedom of navigation. The diplomatic discussion with Iran is probably the most important element", summarized Belgian Foreign and Defence Minister Didier Reynders. Similarly, for Finnish Minister Pekka Haavisto, "diplomatic means, dialogue, strengthening dialogue in the region and the role of regional actors are very important". However, he recalled that it was very difficult to support cooperation while a ship is still being held by Iran.
Priority to the preservation of the Iranian nuclear agreement
The priority for Europeans remains the implementation of the Iranian nuclear agreement. According to Mrs Mogherini, the EU's commitment to preserving this agreement can, in itself, "help to defuse the tense situation in other areas across the Gulf as well". "The EU and its Member States continue to fully support (the agreement) and are doing everything in their power to try to put in place this fundamental element of nuclear non-proliferation", she recalled, considering that, "if something else can be built" on the basis of this agreement, "the European Union will welcome and support it". She said that the work of the E3+2 members (Germany, France, United Kingdom, China and Russia) was to continue to ensure that Iran fully meets its commitments under the agreement.
The head of European diplomacy also recalled that progress had been made in setting up the Instex debt securitisation fund, with the first operations still being processed. "It takes time, a lot of time, but it's also complicated. This process is ongoing", she explained. At the end of June, the EU announced that the mechanism was operational and that the first operations were being processed (see EUROPE 12286/7). Iran has given the Europeans until 5 September to counter American sanctions or Tehran will continue to fail to comply with the agreement.
On Friday morning, before the second day of the Gymnich, the High Representative and Ministers from the E3 countries (Germany, France, United Kingdom) met to "inform each other and see what kind of follow-up we can give to the Biarritz events and meetings", said Mrs Mogherini. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)