Iran trade seen as key
WELLINGTON: The European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini says the EU is encouraging enterprises to increase their business with Iran, as that country has been compliant with its nuclearrelated commitments.
Mogherini told reporters yesterday during her trip to New Zealand that it was up to Europeans to decide who they wanted to trade with.
‘‘We are doing our best to keep Iran in the deal, to keep Iran benefiting from the economic benefits that the agreement brings to the people of Iran because we believe this is in the security interests of not only our region, but also of the world.
‘‘If there is one piece of international agreements on nuclear nonproliferation that is delivering, it has to be maintained,’’ Mogherini said.
The US has reimposed stiff economic sanctions on Iran, ratcheting up pressure on the Islamic Republic despite statements of deep dismay from European allies, three months after President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the international accord limiting Iran’s nuclear activities.
Iran accused the US of reneging on the nuclear agreement, signed by the Obama administration, and of causing recent Iranian economic unrest.
European allies said they ‘‘deeply regret’’ the US action.
Trump warned that those who did not wind down their economic ties to Iran ‘‘risk severe consequences.’’
European ministers said the Iran deal was crucial for Europe’s and the world’s security, and the European Union issued a ‘‘blocking statute’’ on Monday to protect European businesses from the impact of the sanctions.
Mogherini, speaking at a news conference alongside New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters, said the EU and New Zealand saw the need to maintain the nuclear deal with Iran, notwithstanding the US withdrawal.
She said she and Peters had discussed in detail how to keep open trade and financial channels with Iran.
‘‘We are encouraging small and medium enterprises in particular to increase business with and in Iran as part of something [that] for us is a security priority,’’ Mogherini said, explaining that trade was an integral part of the nuclear deal.
Trade between Iran and the EU ‘‘is a fundamental aspect of the Iranian right to have an economic advantage in exchange for what they have done so far, which is being compliant with all their nuclearrelated commitments,’’ Mogherini said.
Under the new EU rules, firms should apply for EU authorisation to wind down operations in Iran if doing so to comply with US sanctions, but not if it is a business decision — a distinction that may be difficult to make.
A Trump said yesterday the new US sanctions were ‘‘the most biting sanctions ever imposed’’.
‘‘In November they ratchet up to yet another level. Anyone doing business with Iran will NOT be doing business with the United States. I am asking for WORLD PEACE, nothing less!’’ he tweeted. — AP/Reuters