Old-fashioned diplomacy begins to pay off in Iran

Many European Union foreign ministers have visited Iran since the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. The US has no diplomatic relations with Tehran which remains on its list of states abetting terrorism, but diplomatic efforts made by Europeans have filled the diplomatic vacuum the US has been unable to provide. For some months, Chris Patten, European Commissioner for External Relations, has been discussing trade and economic issues with Iran, and in February 2001 he suggested a Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA). EU Foreign Ministers meeting in Luxembourg on 29 October 2001 are expected to approve Commission plans to draw up a negotiating mandate to begin TCA talks, possibly by the end of 2001.