The 27 EU foreign ministers officially approved an Iranian oil embargo aimed at halting its nuclear enrichment programme. Minister Giulio Terzi said that Italy “is with Europe: we are certainly with Europe”, he added. “We have been an element of impetus in the application of a dual track policy”, he stressed. The pressure will stay on until “Iran returns to the negotiating table and suspends its nuclear enrichment programme”. Terzi recalled that EU High Representative Catherine Ashton “is still waiting for an answer” from Iran in response to the 5+1 group’s invitation to resume negotiations.
In consideration of mounting concern over the Iranian nuclear programme, the Council expanded the reach of the restrictive measures already in place, including the importation of crude oil and petroleum products. The embargo involves the importation, purchase and transportation of those products as well as associated banking and insurance activities. Previously stipulated contracts, the conclusions specify, may continue until July 1st 2012. A review of the measures affecting oil and its derivatives will take place by May 1st 2012. The Council also banned EU imports of petrochemical products from Iran, as well as EU exports to Iran of equipment and technologies essential to that sector. New investments or joint interests in the Iranian petrochemical industry are also banned. The ministers also froze EU-held Iranian banking assets, assuring that legitimate trade could proceed under very strict conditions.
Terzi voiced his satisfaction with the Council’s decision to approve new sanctions on Syria, reporting that the Council had “unanimously agreed to support the role of the Arab League”. The sanctions are aimed at pursuing and intensifying pressure on the Damascus regime, Terzi asserted. As for the Arab League’s role, the minister stressed that he had spoken with the League’s secretary in Cairo on Thursday and had noted his strong determination. The EU considers the League as capable of having a valuable role in reviving the option of a UN Security Council resolution.
Minister Terzi also expressed his “great satisfaction” with the EU’s decision to gradually loosen the sanctions on the Burmese Junta. “I will be going to Burma soon to personally express Italy’s willingness to encourage the development of this dialogue, being one of the more active of the European partners in this sense”, Terzi announced from Brussels. As a first step, the Council decided “that restrictive measures (visa ban) concerning the President, the vice-Presidents, cabinet members and the Speakers of the two Houses of Parliament should be suspended and mandates relevant working groups to implement it, and to consider further steps”.
“The Council welcomes the remarkable programme of political reform undertaken by the Government and Parliament in Burma/Myanmar together with its commitment to economic and social development”, the text reads. “These changes are opening up important new prospects for developing the relationship between the European Union and Burma/Myanmar. “The EU stands ready to respond accordingly”, the ministers stated, adding that “the EU considers that the recent release of a substantial number of political prisoners marks a crucial step forward and clearly shows the determination of the Government to continue on the path of reform”. The Council welcomed “the dialogue between President U Thein Sein and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the changes to the Electoral Law adopted by the Parliament”, and “the resolve by the Government to engage with ethnic groups through an inclusive political process, thus bringing to an end the armed conflicts in the country”. The EU also expressed its wish to assist Burma/Myanmar to “advance reforms” and invited the World Bank and the IMF to support the country in the development of its strategy.
With regard to Afghanistan, which Minister Terzi described in Brussels as “a collective and long-term commitment”, he expressed his “great sadness and solidarity” with France for its recent losses there. Italy intends to maintain its pledge and “I am convinced that all our EU partners and those of the international community will do the same”, he said. Afghan president Hamid Karzai will be in Rome on Wednesday, the minister reported, and “We are about to conclude a very comprehensive agreement with Afghanistan”.
