MEP: Ashton should set a European course in Iran negotiations

Dutch Member of the European Parliament Marietje Schaake (ALDE/D66) calls on EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton to set an independent European course in the negotiations with Iran about its nuclear programme. "Formally, the European Union presides over the negotiations, but we must do more than just facilitate, we need to play a strategic role as well. All EU member states agree that we should seize the opportunity of an opening with the new President in Tehran. It would not be wise to let ourselves be held hostage by American or Israeli interests", says Schaake. Breaking the deadlock According to the MEP, the most important part of this round of negotiations will be to increase the mutual trust between the parties. Schaake: "Statements by the Iranian President, the minister for Foreign Affairs and, most importantly, Ayatollah Khamenei, suggest that a deal could be reachable.  I am hopeful but we must not be naïve, in the end we need to see real progress through reforms and actions. The previous negotiations and the technical meetings with the new political leadership in Iran have shown initial positive signs." The EU should make clear that it is prepared to freeze economic sanctions if Iran allows inspectors immediate and complete access to all nuclear facilities. It must also halt enrichment up to twenty per cent. "Sanctions are in place to change Iran's behaviour and to reach an agreement, so we must also be willing to reward progress", says Schaake. She emphasises that the European sanctions  on Iranian human rights violators should be kept in place. Hardliners In the end, the United States and Iran will have to reach an agreement, and time is running out. Both President Obama and President Rouhani feel the pressure of hardliners. Therefore the EU needs to up its game by showing a will to reassess its position: "both presidents have a limited timeframe to show that their chosen course can bring about results. By taking the lead now and realising the first steps of an action plan, the EU can silence conservatives in both camps and bring a sustainable agreement in sight. That would be beneficial for everyone, including for the Iranian population." --- For more information: Marietje Schaake +31 6 303 779 21 Anna Sophia Posthumus (Press officer) +32 4 842 201 518