EU envoy in Iran in bid to protect trade

tehran — EU Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete arrived in Tehran on Saturday to present plans for continuing oil and gas purchases and protect European companies despite renewed US sanctions on Iran.

Canete said preserving the 2015 nuclear deal, despite the US decision to withdraw, was “fundamental for peace in the region”.

“For sure there are clear difficulties with the sanctions,” Canete said at a press conference alongside Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation head Ali Akbar Salehi.

For sure there are clear difficulties with the sanctions. We will have to ask for waivers, for carve outs for the companies that make investments Miguel Arias Canete, EU Energy Commissioner

“We will have to ask for waivers, for carve outs for the companies that make investments.”

Canete, the first Western official to visit Iran since the US decision, was due to meet Environment Minister Isa Kalantari and Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh later on Saturday, and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Sunday.

Salehi acknowledged Europe’s efforts to maintain the nuclear deal.

“We see the European Union... is making an extensive effort. They have promised to do so, and God willing, they will put that into practice,” Salehi told reporters.