Joint Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton & Iran Foreign Minister Zarif / EU announces Iran nuclear deal

The EU High Representative and the Foreign Minister of Iran, together with the Foreign Ministers and Political Directors of the E3+3 (China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States), met from 20 – 24 November 2013 in Geneva.

Euronews and other news sources reported on the 24 November 2013 that Iran and the six world powers had reached a breakthrough agreement to curb Tehran’s nuclear programme in exchange for limited sanctions relief, as a first step towards resolving the decade-old dispute over Iran's nuclear activities.

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who had been coordinating talks with Iran on behalf of the major powers, said it created time and space for talks aimed at reaching a comprehensive solution to the dispute.

EU leaders across Europe welcomed the deal and praised Catherine Ashton for her role in brokering the agreement.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: No plans for EU embassy in Iran despite improving relations http://www.europeansources.info/record/no-plans-for-eu-embassy-in-iran-despite-improving-relations/

BBC News, 24.11.13: Iran agrees to curb nuclear activity at Geneva talks http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-25074729

EEAS: Iran http://www.eeas.europa.eu/iran/index_en.htm

Euronews, 24.11.13: Breakthrough nuclear agreement reached between Iran and six world powers http://www.euronews.com/2013/11/24/breakthrough-nuclear-agreement-reached-between-iran-and-six-world-powers/

France24, 23.11.13: Hopes fade for deal in Iran nuclear talks http://www.france24.com/en/20131123-differences-remain-over-iran-nuclear-talks-say-diplomats

Deutsche Welle, 24.11.13: Iran nuclear deal reached with global powers in Geneva http://dw.de/p/1AN5t

European Commission: RAPID: Press Release, IP/13/1155: Statement by the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso on Iran talks http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-1155_en.htm

EEAS: Press Release, 24.11.13: Joint Plan of Action, Geneva, 24 November 2013 http://eeas.europa.eu/statements/docs/2013/131124_03_en.pdf

EurActiv, 25.11.13: EU hails nuclear deal with Iran, credits Ashton http://www.euractiv.com/global-europe/eu-hails-nuclear-deal-iran-credi-news-531918

EUObserver, 25.11.13: EU announces Iran nuclear deal http://euobserver.com/foreign/122209

The Guardian, 24.11.13: Iran nuclear talks: Lady Ashton's Geneva triumph takes centre stage http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/nov/24/iran-nuclear-talks-lady-ashton-geneva-triumph

France24, 24.11.13: Israel says Iran nuclear deal a 'historic mistake' http://www.france24.com/en/20131124-israel-iran-nuclear-deal-diplomacy

Deutsche Welle, 24.11.13: Cautious optimism in Germany over Iran deal http://dw.de/p/1ANN0

PressEurop, 25.11.13: Lady Ashton’s Geneva triumph http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/4349411-lady-ashton-s-geneva-triumph

Spiegel Online International, 25.11.13: The World From Berlin: Don't Lift Iran Sanctions 'Prematurely' http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-press-reactions-to-iranian-nuclear-deal-a-935467.html

BBC News, 26.11.13: Iran sanctions 'could be lifted in December' - Fabius http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-25085753

Euro|Topics, 25.11.13: Breakthrough in nuclear dispute with Iran http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/aeltere/NEWSLETTER-2013-11-25-Breakthrough-in-nuclear-dispute-with-Iran

Le Nouvel Observateur, 25.11.13: Lady Ashton's renaissance in Geneva (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE134145-Lady-Ashton-s-renaissance-in-Geneva

European Council: President: Press Release, PRES/13/500: Statement by President Herman Van Rompuy on the agreement on Iran's nuclear programme http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/139713.pdf

Social Europe Journal, 26.11.13: Bringing The Iran Deal Back Home http://www.social-europe.eu/2013/11/iran-deal-back-home/

ESO: Background information: Iran: EU suspends certain sanctions as Joint Plan of Action enters into force http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-iran-eu-suspends-certain-sanctionsas-joint-plan-of-action-enters-into-force/

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