Iran and the European Union member states are in a delicate situation where it is essential to maintain and expand cooperation, the chairman of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission said.
Speaking at a joint meeting between the parliamentary commission and ambassadors of 26 European countries in Tehran on Monday, Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh stressed that in the wake of the Unites States’ unilateral withdrawal from the nuclear deal, “Iran and European countries have a serious responsibility to identify areas of mutual collaboration.”
"Iran has always been open to cooperation with Europe," he was quoted as saying by ICANA.
Following Iran's agreement with the six world powers over its nuclear program in 2015, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the EU, along with Russia, was among the first parties to initiate joint nuclear projects, including a €2.5-million scheme aimed at strengthening bilateral nuclear safety collaboration.
Since US unilaterally abandoned the accord in May and restored economic sanctions against Tehran, a set of which is due to take effect in November, Iran has engaged in serious negotiations with the EU to salvage the deal, including talks held on the sidelines of the recent United Nations General Assembly.
Europe has stayed in the pact, expressing its continued support to help Iran counter US hostile measures.
The two sides have so far agreed on a specified mechanism to circumvent the sanctions and maintain mutual trade, which is expected to be finalized before November, according to EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini.
Falahatpisheh also highlighted other areas of interaction with Europe during their longstanding relations such as in campaigns against narcotics, human smuggling and terrorism.
"Iran is no longer a target country, but a contributor and a helpmate in the region. If it hadn't been for Iran's resistance against the self-styled Islamic State terrorist group in Syria and Iraq, the group would have expanded its reign across Europe's borders by now," he said.
Europe was subject to a number of sporadic attacks by the IS group, including the November 2015 Paris attacks and the 2016 bombings in France and Belgium.
>EU Support
Austrian Ambassador Stefan Scholz also confirmed EU's willingness to continue relations with Tehran.
"Iran and the EU are working together based on the policies mentioned in the April 2016 joint statement, and bilateral ties will definitely develop," he said.
After a meeting on April 16, 2016, in Tehran, Mogherini and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif issued a joint statement, listing the areas the EU and Iran intend to cooperate, including political consultation, agriculture, energy, environment and nuclear projects, among others.
Speaking on behalf of the Council of European Union, whose presidency is currently held by Austria, Scholz expressed regret over the US violation of the deal and reimposition of sanctions, reiterating Europe's intention to remain committed to the accord.
"All the participants in the September 24 session voiced their support for the JCPOA and full implementation of its articles," he said, referring to a ministerial meeting of the remaining parties to the deal in New York last week.
