The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, admitted on Tuesday 12 September that relations between the EU and Iran were “now at their lowest ebb”.
“We must maintain a critical approach to Iran when necessary, while keeping channels open to protect our citizens and our interests, and to support the fundamental rights of the Iranian people”, he stressed during a debate in the European Parliament.
“I will not cease to use every interaction to encourage Iran to change its behaviour, by sending a clear message that fundamental rights and freedoms must no longer be undermined, that all imprisoned Europeans must be released and that support for Russia must come to an end”, Mr Borrell summed up.
Referring to the situation of imprisoned European citizens or dual nationals, the High Representative said that the EU, and he personally, had raised the situation in every contact with the authorities. “We will continue to work for their release”, he promised, adding that public mention of individual cases was not helpful.
Mr Borrell announced that the EU Special Envoy for the Gulf Region, Luigi Di Maio, had travelled to Tehran to discuss the case of Johan Floderus, a Swedish EU official who has been held for 500 days in Iran (see EUROPE 13243/24). (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)