Takht Ravanchi: The European Union Office in Tehran Will Reopen Within a Few Months

Majid Takht Ravanchi, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, announced on Sunday, November 6, that the internal processes for reopening the European Union office in Tehran are underway and will be completed within a few months. According to ILNA news agency, Mr. Takht Ravanchi pointed out that currently, the European Union has two diplomats at the Dutch embassy in Iran, adding: "The reason they have sent these two diplomats for now is that in the past, the activities under the title of the European Union with Iran were not so significant that there was a need for one or more diplomats to be stationed in Tehran to follow up on activities." This Iranian Foreign Ministry official added: "Usually, the European Union conducts its affairs through the rotating presidency and the rotating ambassador." He noted that Iran is in contact with the European Union regarding this office and is following up on the matter. In August of this year, the Iranian Foreign Ministry confirmed that the European Union intends to establish an independent office in Tehran, and two representatives of the Union are currently active at the Dutch embassy to follow up on matters. Majid Takht Ravanchi had previously stated that establishing the EU office in Tehran would take time, and the parties agreed to station a limited number of representatives of the Union at the Dutch embassy in Tehran to expedite matters. According to ILNA, Majid Takht Ravanchi said on Sunday: "In the new atmosphere, when work enters a more cooperative space, you cannot assign the work to a European ambassador because that European ambassador is sufficiently engaged in bilateral matters and cannot plan the activities of a European commissioner who has come to Iran and prepare the documents that are to be exchanged between the two sides. Therefore, a new structure is needed." Takht Ravanchi's remarks came after Mohammad Javad Larijani, Secretary of the Iranian Human Rights Headquarters, affiliated with the judiciary, described the EU office as a "den of corruption" and stated: "The judiciary will not allow the European Union to establish an office in Iran." Nevertheless, he mentioned: "This office, if it is for following up on commercial matters, is not a problem." This judiciary official accused the European Union of wanting to "establish an office in Tehran to have close contact with human rights defenders and NGOs to ensure the implementation of human rights in Iran." The Secretary of the Iranian Human Rights Headquarters also stated that Europeans, in the matter of human rights, do not have the authority to say that Iran should reform itself while they are filled with violence and human rights violations. Typically, officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran always respond to criticisms from European countries and the United States regarding the human rights situation in Iran by accusing these countries of human rights violations. Larijani's statements were made in response to the adoption of the resolution "Roadmap for Normalizing Relations Between the European Union and Iran After the JCPOA" in the European Parliament. This resolution emphasized the expansion of trade and political relations between Iran and the European Union, referring to the achievements of the nuclear agreement with Tehran. Resuming discussions with Iran on human rights issues, including freedom of expression, ending the execution of minors, drug-related matters, and respecting citizenship rights were among the issues mentioned in this resolution. Part of this resolution stated that respect for human rights should be considered in all investment agreements. Efforts to reduce tensions between Tehran and Riyadh were also among the points raised in the European Parliament resolution. In response to the adoption of this resolution, Bahram Qasemi, spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, described the European Union's efforts to normalize and develop long-term relations with Tehran as indicative of this body's positive will. However, Mr. Qasemi stated: "Referring to some issues that do not align with the existing realities of the Islamic Republic of Iran and are based on differing views of European culture cannot significantly aid the development of relations between us."