Date of release : 23-05-2005

Policy area : General Affairs and External Relations

Event : General Affairs and External Relations Council

The General Affairs and External Relations Council, chaired by Jean Asselborn, Minister for Foreign Affairs, discussed the subject of Iran. On this subject, Council President Asselborn stated:  

"The Council has discussed the presidential election which will take place on June 17 and the announcement by the Council of Guardians on May 22 on the candidates that will be accepted.  In this context, the Council recalled its disappointment at the Council of Guardians’ decision last February not to authorise a large number of candidates, including many reformists, to run in the legislative elections. The Ministers regretted that the Council of Guardians had again decided to approve only candidates representing a limited field of political orientations, thus making the expression of a true democratic choice by the Iranian people difficult.

We also analysed the latest developments in the nuclear area. The 25 confirmed their support for the ongoing negotiations between Germany, France and the United Kingdom, with the support of the High Representative/Secretary General and the Iranians. In this context, it was reaffirmed that Iran must meet the commitments made last November in the Paris Agreement. There can be no deviation from these commitments. The development of relations between the EU and Iran also depend on this. This must be very clear."