Wider cooperation with Iran would be in the EU’s strategic interest

Iran is currently in talks with the UK, France, Germany, Russia, China and the United States over the country’s nuclear programme, with the aim of reaching a framework for a comprehensive deal before the end of March 2015.

Cornelius Adebahr writes that while an agreement would be a major diplomatic achievement, the EU should look to go much further than the nuclear issue in its relations with the country. He argues that wider cooperation with Iran, where possible, would be in the EU’s long-term strategic interest.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: ‘New proposals’ over Iran nuclear programme as talks drag on http://www.europeansources.info/record/new-proposals-over-iran-nuclear-programme-as-talks-drag-on/

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

ESO: Background information: Meeting of the High Representative and Vice President Federica Mogherini, Ministers of Foreign Affairs of France, Laurent Fabius, of Germany, Frank Walter Stenmeier, of Great Britain, Philip Hammond and of Iran, Javad Zarif, March 2015 http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-meeting-of-the-high-representative-and-vice-president-federica-mogherini-ministers-of-foreign-affairs-of-france-laurent-fabius-of-germany-frank-walter-stenmeier-of-great-britain-p/

Spiegel Online International, 18.05.15: An Eye To Iran: European Businesses Prepare for Life After Sanctions http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/european-business-prepare-for-lifting-of-iran-sanctions-a-1034240.html

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