Brussels, 22/07/2003 (Agence Europe) - Monday's External Relations Council adopted conclusions on Iran, in which it expressed its increasing concern about the development of the Iranian nuclear programme and called on Iran to co-operate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In this context, the Council calls for Iran's, "urgent and unconditional acceptance, signature and implementation of an IAEA Additional Protocol", which would allow for surprise inspections of nuclear installations, which would be considered by the international community as a sing of the Iranian commitment in the field of non-proliferation. The Could will revise relations with Iran in September after the submission of the IAEA's second report.
The Council also declared that it was "in deep shock at the violent death" of Canadian-Iranian journalist Zahra Kazemi. While welcoming the decision of Iranian President Khatami to carry out an investigation into this death, the Council pointed out that Iran was subject to international obligations on the matter to promptly investigate and prosecute those responsible for the crime. The council also said that it was very concerned about the human rights situation in the country in light of the recent arrests of students, journalists. It called for the rapid release of persons detained "for having exercised their right to freedom of expression". The Council reaffirmed that further progress in economic relations between the EU and Iran depended on progress in the area of human rights, the fight against terrorism, non-proliferation and the Middle East peace process.