Brussels, 22/11/2000 (Agence Europe) - In a session during this week, the General Affairs Council "showed its interest for the strengthening of ties between the European Union and Iran" and invited the European Commission to present a proposal for a "negotiating mandate" in view of a trade and cooperation agreement between the EU and Iran.
The Council noted in its conclusions that "the launching of negotiations will be decided after the assessment of all the aspects of EU-Iran relations", which means that the granting of a mandate to the Commission for it to negotiate will not be automatic, but will be subordinated the time come to an in-depth examination of the situation. Though either way the favourable opinion is a fact and the first step (the negotiation mandate to be prepared by the Commission will indicate the content, the aims and the functioning of the agreement being envisaged) is passed.