Written answers

Tuesday, 22 May 2012

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Petrochemical Embargo

9:00 pm

Photo of Séamus KirkSéamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Question 110: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the progress the EU has made in relation to its sanctions on Iran; if negotiations have been ongoing with the regime in relation to their nuclear programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25173/12]

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Given the major concerns which exist over the Iranian nuclear programme (as documented in a series of UN Security Council and International Atomic Energy Agency resolutions since 2006), and given Iran's continuing unwillingness to engage seriously on these concerns or to address the serious findings highlighted in the IAEA's reports, the international community has had little option but to impose several rounds of increasingly tough restrictive measures.

These include an EU embargo on Iranian petrochemical products which started on 1 May and a ban on crude oil imports to the EU which is due to take effect on 1 July. Under the terms of the Council Decision implementing these sanctions last January, a review of whether to proceed with the oil embargo and ancillary measures is to be conducted before 1 July. The review will be undertaken at the June Council.

I have no doubt that it was the EU's measures, complemented by tough bilateral sanctions implemented recently by the US, Canada and the UK, which were instrumental in triggering Iran's belated acceptance of talks recently. I welcome in this regard the discussions between the E3+3 and Iran which resumed in Istanbul on 14 April.

At the April Foreign Affairs Council, which I attended, EU High Representative Ashton briefed Ministers on these talks. She judged these to have been more constructive than earlier rounds, with the Iranian side attaching no preconditions to further talks and both sides agreeing on the need for confidence-building measures.

A further round of negotiations has been scheduled for 23 May in Baghdad. It is hoped that this will enable a clearer judgement to be made of the seriousness of commitment on Iran's part to making real progress.

Ultimately, the grave issues arising in relation to Iran's nuclear programme can only be resolved through diplomatic negotiations and not by any other means. Ireland, with its EU partners, will continue to lend strong support to High Representative Ashton and the other members of the E3 + 3 as they pursue the 'twin-track' approach which is aimed at persuading Iran to negotiate seriously - and which now appears to be paying some dividends.

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