European Parliament Resolution to Improve Relations with Iran

On October 26, the European Parliament approved a resolution proposed for normalizing and expanding relations with Iran, with 457 votes in favor and 174 against. This resolution was prepared by Richard Howitt, a member of the European Union's legislative branch from the UK Labour Party and a close ally of Jeremy Corbyn, the party's leader, and addresses the EU's strategy towards Iran post-nuclear agreement. Howitt emphasized the necessity of establishing better relations with Iran as beneficial for both the Iranian and European people and deemed it essential for resolving regional conflicts in Syria, Yemen, and other areas of the Middle East. He also stated that beyond economic discussions, engaging with Iran could be useful for human rights dialogues. The resolution supports the development of trade with Iran and calls on the EU to actively help reduce tensions between Tehran and Riyadh. It also highlights the Iran nuclear agreement with the P5+1 as a significant achievement for multilateral diplomacy, particularly European diplomacy. The European Parliament acknowledged the positive outcomes of the nuclear agreement, including a 43% growth in trade relations between Iran and the EU in the first half of 2016 and the re-establishment of connections between about 30 Iranian banks and SWIFT. The resolution states that respect for human rights must be considered in all investment agreements and calls on Iran to reduce the number of executions. It also mentions the need to utilize Iran to resolve critical regional issues such as Syria and Yemen. The report again referred to Iran's missile tests as concerning. Iran's response to the European Parliament's resolution has two aspects. The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson urged Europe to develop specific strategies for deepening relations without political considerations and media sensationalism. Bahram Qasemi stated that this reflects the positive will of this European institution to expand and deepen bilateral relations with Iran in all dimensions. He added that references to certain issues that do not align with the realities of the Islamic Republic of Iran and are based on differing European cultural perspectives cannot significantly aid in developing relations. However, figures like Mohammad Javad Larijani, Secretary of the Judiciary's Human Rights Headquarters, expressed that he sees many flaws in the European Parliament's resolution, as he believes it views Iran merely as a market for selling European goods even in the commercial realm. He added that even in the nuclear issue, the statement rudely suggests that Iran must be cautious, as any minor violation would lead to the reinstatement of all sanctions. Larijani further stated that on the human rights issue, they lack the authority to demand that Iran reform itself while they are filled with violence and human rights violations. Among the coalitions opposing the normalization of EU-Iran relations in the European Parliament, the Liberal Democrats can be mentioned, whose members all voted against the resolution. Hans van Baalen, a member of the European Parliament, emphasized that the plan approved by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament does not reflect the seriousness of the conditions and criteria established for Iran. The European Parliament's resolution is not a binding legal document that obliges the EU to comply with it.