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The Council reviewed its overall
approach to Iran.
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The Council condemns in the
strongest terms the comments in respect of the State
of Israel made by President Ahmedinejad. It deplores
calls for violence and for the destruction of any
state. These comments cause concern about Iran's
role in the region and its future intentions.
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The Council reiterates its grave
concern at Iran's resumption of activity at the
Uranium Conversion Facility in Esfahan. The Council
urges Iran to implement all measures requested by
the IAEA Board of Governors in its Resolution on 24
September, including reinstating a full suspension
of all fuel cycle activities, thus allowing
negotiations with the European side to resume before
the IAEA Board meets again in November. The Council
underlines the EU's continued support for a
diplomatic solution to international concerns over
Iran's nuclear programme.
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The Council underlines the
long-standing importance it attaches to sustainable
political and economic reform in Iran. In this
regard, the Council agreed on the importance of the
Comprehensive Dialogue. The Council agreed that the
Comprehensive Dialogue is an appropriate framework
for discussing issues of mutual interest and
concern. These include not only areas such as
counter-narcotics but also areas of long-standing
concern to the EU: terrorism, the proliferation of
WMD, Iran's approach to the Middle East peace
process, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and
regional issues. While noting progress in the
co-operation between Iran and Europe in the field of
counter-narcotics, the Council reiterates that the
evolution of the long-term relationship, avoiding a
deterioration, between Iran and Europe will depend
on action by Iran to address effectively all the
EU's areas of concern. The Council reiterates that
it is up to Iran to determine, through its actions,
whether its long-term relationship with the EU will
improve or deteriorate.
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The Council expresses its deep
concern at the serious violations of human rights
which continue to occur in Iran. It urges Iran to
strengthen respect for human rights and the rule of
law. The Council is disappointed that the EU-Iran
Human Rights Dialogue has not been held since June
2004, despite repeated attempts on the EU's part to
agree dates for the next round. The Council urges
Iran to take steps to resume substantive discussions
under the Dialogue and to demonstrate by its actions
that it is willing to improve respect for human
rights including by fulfilling its obligations and
earlier commitments in relation to juvenile
executions and by permanently releasing Akbar Ganji
and other prisoners of conscience.
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The Council stresses that
discrimination between EU Member States by Iran in
any field is unacceptable and contrary to EU
principles of solidarity. It calls on Iran to lift
all discriminatory restrictions against individual
Member States, which could impact negatively on
Iran's stated desire to pursue greater co-operation
with the EU.
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The Council agrees to keep the
EU's approach to Iran under close review in light of
progress on the nuclear file and other issues of
concern."
