Developments in EU-Iran relations, December 2002

On 12 December 2002 negotiations started between the EU and Iran on a Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) and on political dialogue and cooperation against terrorism. Described as 'an important step in a qualitative improvement of the EU-Iran relations' the meeting in Brussels was said to have taken place 'in a friendly atmosphere with a common desire to strengthen dialogue and cooperation.'

The basis for the TCA negotiations was presented by the European Commission in November 2001, since when there have been a number of developments in the European Union's relations with Iran:

In June 2002 the General Affairs Council, responding to reforms initiated by Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, agreed to develop stronger relations with Iran and confirmed that the Commission's November 2001 proposals should be adopted, which they were on 12 July. At their 17 June meeting, EU Foreign Ministers also agreed that talks on the TCA should be linked to discussions on political dialogue and anti-terrorism.

An agreement to proceed with negotiations on the TCA was reached in September 2002 and a month later EU Foreign Ministers decided that the Union should also engage Iran in discussions on human rights (the first meeting on human rights was scheduled for 16-17 December 2002 in Tehran).

Meanwhile, Iran's President Khatami visited Madrid at the end of October 2002 and Iranian Foreign Minister Kharrazi visited Brussels on 18-19 November 2002. There have also been regular meetings of Working Groups on Energy and on Trade & Investment since 1999, plus meetings on the control of drugs. The EU and ran have also cooperated on a number of projects, mostly concerned with drugs control and refugees.

The TCA negotiations are being managed for the EU by the European Commission. Talks on political dialogue and anti-terrorism are the responsibility of the EU Presidency. Although the TCA is expected to pave the way for closer economic and political ties, the three strands are seen by the EU as 'interdependent, indissociable and mutually reinforcing elements' and any agreements will form part of a package.

The current talks are based on the agreement reached by EU Ministers in September 2002 at which four areas were identified as being 'of special importance to the EU':

• human rights and fundamental freedoms

• non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction

• the fight against terrorism (on the basis of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373)

• the Middle East peace process

Within that wider context, the TCA seeks to:

• establish a contractual regime to govern trade between the EU and Iran
• support Iran in its adaptation to World Trade Organization rules and practices
• develop closer co-operation with Iran in economic and other areas such as energy, transport, environment, drugs control, asylum, migration and refugees, and culture
• encourage and support reform, strengthen the rule of law and improve the respect for human rights; a human rights clause will be part of any agreement reached.

Further negotiations are expected to be held in Tehran in Spring 2003.

Links:

European Commission:
	11.12.02:	EU-Iran: launch of negotiations on new agreements with Iran [IP/02/1862]
	12.12.02:	EU-Presidency and Commission Joint Press Release on the opening of the negotiations with Iran [IP/02/1880]
Danish Presidency of the EU:
	10.09.02:	EU-Iran Comprehensive Dialogue. Tehran 10 September 2002. Press statement by the EU Presidency
European Sources Online: In Focus
	EU to develop stronger ties with Iran, June 2002

Eric Davies
KnowEurope Researcher
Compiled: Monday, 16 December 2002

On 12 December 2002 negotiations started between the EU and Iran on a Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) and on political dialogue and cooperation against terrorism