Union inches towards closer links with Iran

Date: 19/10/00

By Craig Winneker

THE EU will continue inching towards normalised economic relations with Iran at talks over the next two weeks, but doubts persist among member states about the country's human rights record.

European Commission officials have been holding regular working group meetings with Iranian counterparts on a host of issues, and a new group set up to discuss trade and investment opportunities will convene early next month in Teheran. "The Commission has cautiously started co-operation in certain areas, in an effort to expand the dialogue," said one official.

The Iranian government of President Mohammad Khatemi is anxious to strike a formal trade agreement with the EU, but member states are cautious. Their concern was heightened over the summer when ten Iranian Jews were convicted of spying for Israel and given harsh jail sentences.

Commission officials say they remain "very bullish" about Iran, but one acknowledged: "The powers-that-be feel it is too early to take the plunge."

Khatemi has been applauded as a moderate by some in the West and has worked hard to boost Iran's international stature, but he is still susceptible to hard-line influences at home.

The US is also warming to Iran, but the relations between the two are more of a political hot potato and European officials often mediate between them. EU and US officials meet in Washington next week to discuss policy on Iran. "We are very conscious of what the Americans think," said the Commission aide.

Iran is also lobbying Union member states in an effort to improve relations. At the Teheran International Trade

Fair earlier this month, Iranian officials met German, Italian and Spanish ministers to discuss expanding economic cooperation.

The EU will continue inching towards normalised economic relations with Iran at forthcoming talks, but doubts persist among Member States about the country's human rights record.