Predstavitev

The European Parliament's Delegation for relations with Iran was established after the 2004 elections to the European Parliament, in order to create a direct channel of communication between the Parliament and the Islamic Republic of Iran's parliament, the Majlis.

The European Union has consistently sought to improve relations with Iran, and an important milestone was reached in 2015 when the EU, Iran and other partners (the US, France, Germany, United Kingdom, China and Russia) signed the comprehensive nuclear agreement (JCPOA).The European Parliament's Iran Delegation played a significant role in this effort, through its inter-parliamentary dialogue with the Majlis. The president of the European Parliament visited the Majlis and met with President Rouhani in November 2015.

A number of inter-parliamentary meetings took place between 2004 and 2018, but relations with Iran started to deteriorate from 2018 onwards when the United States decided to withdraw from the nuclear deal (JCPOA). The election of President Biden did not avoid a further deterioration of Iran's compliance with JCPOA commitments.

Due to the worsening of the human rights situation in Iran, and the blacklisting by Iran of European parliamentarians, the European Parliament decided in in November 2022 to freeze relations with Iranian authorities, including the Majlis. Instead, Parliament's activities have focused since then on engaging with civil society inside and outside Iran.

Inter-parliamentary meetings

Seven inter-parliamentary meetings between the European Parliament and the Iranian Majlis took place so far:

• in October 2006 in Brussels,
• in December 2007 in Teheran,
• in November 2008 in Brussels,
• in December 2013 in Tehran,
• in May 2015 in Brussels,
• in November 2017 in Tehran,
• in September 2018 in Brussels

Discussions at these meetings addressed:

• nuclear non-proliferation,
• the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking,
• climate change,
• trade and investment relations,
• freedom of press and opinion,
• human rights, and in particular
  

- the death penalty,
- women's rights,
- children's legal treatment,
- ethnic and religious minorities.

Inter-parliamentary meetings have also helped develop contacts with government and civil society.

Delegation meetings

In addition to inter-parliamentary meetings, the delegation has met regularly to discuss relevant issues in Brussels and Strasbourg.

Discussions have touched on political developments in Iran, human rights issues, refugees, minorities, media and environmental emergencies, the economic situation and the impact of sanctions, inter alia.

Numerous guest speakers have been invited to regular delegation meetings, including representatives of the country's civil society and minorities, think tanks, officials from the European Commission and European External Action Service (EEAS), United Nations officers, researchers and staff from non-governmental organisations. Prior to 2022, the Ambassador of Iran to the EU had also been invited to exchange views with MEPs.

Composition

The Delegation for relations with Iran counts 11 full members, supported by a number of substitute members. Those members are drawn from the European Parliament's political groups, with the political makeup of the delegation mirroring that of Parliament as a whole.