Resolution on the EU Strategy Towards Iran Opens New Avenues for EU-Iran Relations

Following the adoption of a resolution on Iran by the European Parliament today, April 3, PN Member Tarja Cronberg, MEP and Chair of the EP Iran delegation, states:

"I welcome the European Parliament resolution on Iran as a very timely and necessary step towards a comprehensive and face-to-face dialogue between the EU and Iran. The resolution looks beyond the prospective 3 + 3 agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme and charts new avenues for the EU's relations with Iran, such as human rights, combating drug trafficking and expanding social and cultural exchanges. Mutual understanding should be promoted by all EU instruments available."

"I hope that Iran and the six powers will reach a definite agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme as intended. This will give a real impetus to the EU to start an important dialogue with Iran. The European Parliament resolution is explicit about human rights and that they are a priority for the EU-Iran relations. Another important step would be opening of an EU representation in Tehran."

"The intent of the resolution is to further the initiatives identified by the inter-parliamentary dialogue carried out by the European Parliament delegation for relations with Iran, the Iranian parliament and the Iranian government, during the delegation's visit to Tehran in December 2013. A number of these initiatives were further defined during Baroness Ashton's visit in Iran in March this year and they are already being implemented by the EU's External Action Service."

PN Member Tarja Cronberg MEP is a member of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, its Subcommittee on Security and Defence and Chair of the Iran Delegation.

Source: Tarja Cronberg's office.

Photo by stefan_ka.