On 24 November in Geneva, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, together with the Foreign Ministers of the E3+3 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States), successfully concluded a meeting at which an agreement (known as the Joint Plan of Action) was reached with Iran on a first step towards a comprehensive and verifiable diplomatic solution to concerns about the Iranian nuclear programme.

What is the Joint Plan of Action?

The Joint Plan of Action is an interim agreement setting out an approach towards reaching a long-term comprehensive solution. As a first step, it includes the implementation, by both sides, of a series of voluntary measures, for a duration of six months. This first step could be renewed by mutual agreement.

A Joint Commission of the E3/EU+3 and Iran will be established to monitor the implementation of these measures, with the IAEA responsible for the verification of nuclear-related measures. The Joint Plan of Action also includes elements for the final step - i.e. the common goal of reaching a final, comprehensive solution which would lead to the full resolution of the international community's concerns about Iran's nuclear programme, along with UN Security Council resolutions.