EU takes tough stance on Iranian nuclear issue
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European Union (EU) foreign ministers on Monday endorsed tougher sanctions in a bid to urge Iran to restart negotiations on its nuclear program.
Can the EU reach its goal through such a move? How will Iran respond to it?
Special background
The EU's restrictive measures, which went beyond UN sanctions imposed on June 10, followed a similar U.S. move.
The package of sanctions covers trade, financial services, energy and transport and additional designations for visa bans and asset freezes.
They also include measures to block oil and gas investment and ban exporting to Iran equipment and technology, especially any that could be used in making nuclear weapons, a statement from the EU said.
Analysts say there is a special background to the EU taking such a tough stance.
Since the Treaty of Lisbon entered into force on Dec. 1 and a new European Commission was established in January, the EU has been striving to improve coordination and integration on foreign policy and stressing that it would "speak with one voice".
It hopes speaking in "a strong voice" on hot international events such as the Iranian nuclear issue, will enhance its status and influence on the global stage.
The Iranian nuclear issue also forms an important part of the new EU policies towards the Middle East. Pushing to address the issue is a significant step in applying its policies.
Dual-track position
Observers said, though the new sanctions were tough, the EU still left room for a peaceful resolution of the issue, avoiding it developing into an "unmanageable dilemma."
Acting Belgian Foreign Affairs Minister Steven Vanackere, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, said the EU position was "very balanced," as it was a "dual-track" position.
"We want to be able to encourage Iran to come to the negotiation table, which can be the solution for the problems. At the same time, since it is a dual-track, if dialogue is not possible, sanctions can be necessary and then they have to be balanced," he said.
"I think we came to an agreement on a position which is quite balanced," he said.
