16/01/2020 (Agence Europe) – After "repeated contacts", Josep Borrell met the Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, for the first time in his capacity as High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on Thursday 16 January in India. According to the European External Action Service, in a "frank" dialogue, they discussed the latest developments around the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), following the triggering of the conflict resolution mechanism by the E3 (see EUROPE 12403/19). "Josep Borrell underlined the continued interest of the European Union to preserve the agreement, which is now more important than ever, in light of the dangerous escalations in the Middle East and the Gulf region", according to the EEAS. Mr Borrell and Mr Zarif agreed to remain in close contact and to continue their commitment in the coming weeks. (CG)