Iran-EU Comprehensive Relations Not Far-Fetched

Belgium's Foreign Minister louis michel voiced support here on Tuesday for a trade and cooperation pact between European Union (EU) members and Iran. Michel, who arrived here on Monday night for a two-day trip, said that "Iran is an important country and relations with that country should be strengthened in all areas." Furthermore, earlier this week, Beligian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Koen Vervaeke told IRNA that the aim of Michel's trip was to "intensify bilateral ties between the two countries," adding that "Belgium is one of the active supporters of a dialogue between the EU and Iran." The expansion of bilateral relations between Tehran and Brussels as well as ties between the Islamic Republic and the European Union are high on the agenda of talks between the Belgian official and his counterpart Kamal Kharrazi, President Mohammad Khatami and Majlis Speaker Mahdi Karrubi.

In fact, the first visit by a Belgian foreign minister to the Islamic Republic displays the interest and firm will on both sides for the expansion of their relations and cooperation. The two countries on April 11, 2001, signed a customs cooperation agreement, which was the first of its kind signed between Iran and a European country.

The agreement carried significance as it helped to promote economic and commercial ties between Tehran and Brussels.

Iran and the EU have in the past held extensive consultations about exploring avenues of restoring peace to Afghanistan and seeking a fair solution to the Middle East conflict. But currently the most import subject at issue between Tehran and the European Union, which will also be discussed by the Iranian and Belgian officials during Michel's visit to Tehran, is the subject of a trade and cooperation agreement between the two sides. This is because there are differences between Tehran and EU as well as among the EU members over the nature of this agreement.

EU foreign ministers in May failed to agree to give the European Commission a green light to start negotiating the trade and cooperation agreement with Tehran. Ministers differed over whether to go for a quick trade accord with Tehran or seek a broader agreement that might include some political issues as well.

Iranian officials hold the view that through the expansion of economic relations, the Islamic Republic and the European Union can get more familiar with each other's realities and overcome their differences of opinion and political misunderstandings.

Therefore, a trade and cooperation agreement between the two sides will surely be a positive step towards establishing comprehensive relations between Iran and the EU. Considering the strong will and desire on both sides to achieve this objective, as indicated by Belgian official's visit to Iran, establishing these comprehensive relations does not seem to be far-fetched.