Solana's Visit Boosts Iran-EU Relations
During his two-day stay, Solana conferred with President Mohammad Khatami, Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, and the chairman of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, Mohsen Mirdamadi.
Solana's visit to the Islamic Republic illustrated the EU's intention to boost relations with Tehran, given that the two sides have long had trade and economic ties.
In fact, the EU is Iran's biggest trading partner.
In 2000 Iran imported 5.2 billion euros in goods from the EU and exported 8.4 billion euros of goods. Trade with the EU makes up 40 percent of Iran's total annual trade exchange. These figures indicate the importance of trade with the EU.
Nevertheless, if the EU continues following an independent line in developing relations with Iran and approves the trade agreement to upgrade trade ties with the Islamic Republic, mutual cooperation in joint investment projects as well as the transfer of modern technology will definitely be boosted. Such cooperation is important, considering that Iran needs modern technology to press ahead with its Third Five-Year Economic Development Plan (2000-2005).
On the other hand, Iran's natural resources are of great significance for Europe, as a world producer in dire need of raw materials. The Islamic Republic is sitting on some 10 percent of the total oil reserves of the world, and possesses between 13 to 15 percent of world gas reserves.
Furthermore, it can never be denied that Europe is very interested in transiting its required energy resources through Iran and using Iran as a gateway to Middle Eastern and Central Asian markets.
In fact, Iran's significant geographical position has made promotion of cooperation with the Islamic Republic especially important for the EU. On the other hand, any measure to undermine promotion of economic ties, such as preventing Iran from buying Airbus planes, will never be acceptable to the Islamic Republic. Such measures would definitely have a negative impact on Iranian public opinion.
Expanded Iran-EU relations could lead to the promotion of peace and security in the region.
Iran and the EU successfully cooperated in establishing peace in war-shattered Afghanistan and have taken up joint development projects in that country.
Still, Iran and the EU need to further coordinate efforts to guarantee their joint interests by cooperating in the campaign against the production and traffic of narcotics. The need for such cooperation is evident, considering the fact that Iran lies on the crossroads of the drug route to Europe. Many Iranian security personnel have been martyred in the anti-drug campaign, which has also caused the country great financial losses.
However, EU assistance to Iran to this end, mainly by Italy, Britain and Spain, has never been enough.
Iran and the EU can cooperate in encouraging the replacement of poppy cultivation with food crops.
Also, the EU can provide technical and logistical support for Iranian police and security forces in their anti-drug campaign.
The EU position on developments in the occupied territories of Palestine is more moderate than the U.S. position. The EU has a more even-handed approach to the Palestinian issue. However, the European Union should differentiate between liberation movements and terrorist groups.
Furthermore, Iran and the EU will have to try to stop a new wave of regional instability and insecurity by condemning the U.S. adventurist and war-mongering policies on Iraq. EU states could try to convince Baghdad to accept UN resolutions and allow UN weapons inspectors to resume operations in Iraq.
Despite the many ups and downs in Iran-EU relations, both sides have been able to boost relations and broaden cooperation on international issues. Therefore, Solana's visit to Tehran can be viewed as contributing to the expansion of Iran-EU relations.
The nations of the developing world rejected the recent anti-Iranian remarks of U.S. President George W. Bush. Solana's visit indicated that the 15-member European Union will never accept U.S. unilateralism.