European Parliament argues for increased diplomatic relations with Iran

The European Parliament, gathered for its plenary session in Strasbourg, argued on Monday for increased diplomatic relations with Iran as part of an ongoing strategy following the Iran Nuclear Agreement of 2015, in which the European Union (EU) was a major party to negotiations.

During a debate late on the opening day of the October plenary, Members of European Parliament (MEPs) celebrated the landmark deal which saw Tehran agree to cut its nuclear enrichment program and its enriched uranium stockpile in exchange for international sanctions relief, while also stressing the need for increased dialogue with Iran.

"The Iran Nuclear Agreement was a big achievement for European and international diplomacy. It is an important signal that nuclear non-proliferation is possible in our world," declared Socialist MEP Richard Howitt, the rapporteur on a draft resolution calling for increased EU-Iran diplomacy, while pressing for continued efforts to build dialogue.

The draft resolution, "EU strategy towards Iran after the nuclear agreement," puts forth recommendations for increased political dialogue, trade and economic cooperation, regional security cooperation in the Middle East, and negotiations on social issues dear to European leaders, such as human rights.

"I support the opening of an EU delegation in Tehran," the Howitt said, arguing that warming diplomatic ties over shared trade concerns would stoke greater understanding on other issues.

"An engagement on areas of mutual interest allows us to open channels of communication to address areas where we have differences -- human rights remain an obvious area of concern," underlined European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Canete to MEPs at the opening of the debate.

MEPs and the political groups met the proposals with hesitation, however, with many voices emphasizing how much work remained to be done in order to reach understanding between the EU and Iran.

"This deal is only welcomed as a pragmatic one, and its rejection would play right into the hands of regime hardliners," warned Charles Tannock, on behalf of the European Conservative's Group, continuing: "It does not mean we have reached the end of the road."

The overwhelming message, however, was that diplomatic relations with Iran were not only expedient, but necessary, with Elmar Brok, speaking on behalf of the European People's Party, going so far as to say: "The whole world wants to have this agreement -- we need to bring (Iran) back into the international community!"

The draft resolution's rapporteur, Richard Howitt, warned that the Iran Nuclear Agreement's collapse would bring dire consequences such as a nuclear arms race in the Middle East, heightened security fears, and the return of sanctions "in which ordinary, innocent people in Iran are impoverished and lose hope."

The draft resolution, which is subject to some 139 proposed amendments, will be voted on by MEPs on Tuesday afternoon. Endit