EU would like to deepen co-op with Iran - Mogherini
The JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) is crucial in
itself for non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and regional
security, and it should also be considered a potential starting
point, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security
Policy Federica Mogherini said in an exclusive interview with
Trend.
She made the remarks Feb. 27 in anticipation of her visit to Baku
to participate in the second Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council
Meeting on Feb. 29.
Iran and the P5+1 group (the US, the UK, France, China, Russia and
Germany) implemented the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA
aka nuclear deal) on Jan. 16, which eliminated sanctions on the
country, including the restrictions over banking sector, releasing
blocked assets abroad, etc.
She went on to add that the EU also re-launched its bilateral
engagement with Iran.
“I just received Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in
Brussels a few days ago, to discuss both regional and bilateral
issues, and I am planning to travel to Teheran soon, together with
a number of other European commissioners,” she said.
“There is common willingness to have a regular political dialogue
and restore close economic ties,” she said.
Trade, energy, environment, migration and the rule of law are some
of the issues where the EU would like to deepen its cooperation
with Iran, according to Mogherini.
“I am sure that such renewed engagement will not only benefit the
citizens of Iran and of our European Union: the positive
spill-overs can reach the entire region – starting from Iran's
neighbours, of course,” she said.
Mogherini further said that the last seven months indeed became a
different phase for regional dynamics.
“We have finally managed to bring all relevant international actors
to the table, towards a negotiated solution to the conflict in
Syria,” Mogherini said. “I don't need to explain how crucial it is
to bring that war to an end – you know all too well its
destabilising effect in the region and the radicalising potential
of a long-lasting sectarian confrontation in the Middle East.”
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