Iran: MEPs call for an EU strategy beyond the nuclear file
4 Apr 2014 04:13 PM
The EU should exploit the current window of
opportunity of nuclear talks and internal developments in Iran, which favour
both domestic reform and better EU-Iran relations, says Parliament in a
resolution passed on Thursday. It also calls on the EU to be more active in
addressing the human rights situation and in supporting civil society in
Iran.
MEPs say that once a comprehensive agreement is reached
that guarantees that Iran’s nuclear program is exclusively peaceful, the
EU should gradually drop its nuclear-related sanctions.
If
substantial progress is made in talks on the nuclear file, the Council should
start devising a concept for bilateral EU-Iran relations, including a possible
formal EU-Iran agreement, says the resolution. The EU and Iran could focus
cooperation on areas including the development of civil society and the private
sector in Iran, the fight against narcotics and the environment, education and
health.
Parliament also calls for the first steps to be taken
towards opening an EU delegation in Tehran by the end of this year. This would
be an efficient means of influencing Iranian policies and the dialogue on human
and minority rights, it believes. MEPs add that EU policy towards Iran should
be more independent.
Human rights: grave concerns
remain
MEPs have major concerns about the persistent systematic
violation of fundamental rights, the high number of executions and the
restrictions on freedom in Iran. The country should release all jailed human
rights defenders, political prisoners, trade unionists and those detained after
the 2009 presidential elections, the resolution says. Iran’s Charter of
Citizens' Rights must also comply with its international obligations,
namely when it comes to non-discrimination, banning torture and ensuring
individual and collective freedoms.
The
EU should engage in an inclusive high-level human rights dialogue with Iran
that would include the judiciary and security forces and the EU institutions
must do more to empower and develop civil society within Iran, MEPs
say.
Syria and
Afghanistan: Iranian commitment needed
The
resolution stresses that Iran should be involved in all discussions seeking a
diplomatic solution to the crisis in Syria and in the region, provided it shows
commitment to achieving this. It should use its influence in Syria to stop the
bloodshed and cooperate with the EU and the US in Afghanistan, namely on drug
trafficking and protection of refugees, MEPs add.