This morning, the three European countries conveyed their proposal to the Iranian authorities.
These proposals come within the context of the negotiations between the three European nations, the European Union and Iran that have been under way since December 2004, following the conclusion of the Paris agreement of November 15, 2004.
They cover the following areas:
- political and security-related cooperation
- the Iranian civilian nuclear program
- economic and technological cooperation
1. In the area of political and security-related cooperation , the Europeans are proposing a mutual commitment in accordance with the UN charter, including the resolution of conflicts by peaceful means.
In the context of a global agreement and of Iran's respect for its commitments under the NPT, France and the United Kingdom reaffirm the unilateral security guarantees of April 6, 1995, in keeping with UNSCR 984.
These include mutual commitments on non-proliferation, regional security, terrorism and the fight against drug trafficking.
A high-level committee will be in charge of follow-up on these issues.
2. With regard to long-term support for the Iranian civilian nuclear program , the Europeans reaffirm Iran's inalienable right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy under the NPT and within the framework of a global agreement. Iran could have access to civilian nuclear technologies via international bids. It could have continued access to the international nuclear energy market and enjoy cooperation in this area. The Europeans guarantee Iran's long-term supply of nuclear fuel for its plants. Moreover, the Europeans have shown their willingness to establish a framework to provide additional assurances on the fuel supply. The development of this cooperation implies Iran's commitment to respect the verification mechanisms and to ratify the IAEA additional protocol and, in the meantime, to implement all the provisions of that protocol and to cooperate with the IAEA to resolve all pending issues.
3. In the area of economic and technological cooperation , the Europeans recognize the importance of cooperation on energy and are prepared to consider Iran as a long-term energy-supply source. They pledge to promote trade, investment and technology transfers, to work on the negotiation of a trade and cooperation agreement between the EU and Iran, to provide political support for Iran's membership in the WTO, to develop long-term scientific and technological cooperation in many areas including the environment, communications, education and training, and to give a new impetus to other areas of cooperation such as transportation, tourism and seismology.
A ministerial-level 10-year examination mechanism has also been proposed.
We await the Iranian authorities' reaction to these proposals and are prepared to discuss the Iranians' suggestions with a view to a long-term agreement, provided that the suspension of activities foreseen in the Paris agreement is not called into question.