On June 14, European Union High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana presented Iran with a letter signed by the foreign ministers of Britain, the United States, China, France, Germany and Russia (referred to as the E3+3 in the letter and the P5+1 elsewhere). The letter outlined an offer to open formal negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program on the condition that Iran suspends enrichment and reprocessing activities and adheres to the requirements of the Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In exchange, the E3+3 were prepared to recognize Iran’s right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and to treat Iran’s nuclear program the same as every other signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The letter also offered Iran political, economic and humanitarian incentives, should it comply with demands. Incentives included:
Nuclear Energy
- Support and cooperation in developing a peaceful nuclear energy program
Political
- Improved political relations between Iran, the E3+3, and the European Union
- Work in building regional security and playing a positive role in international affairs
- Support and assistance relating to Afghanistan
Economic
- Steps toward normalization of trade relations and the creation of a framework to encourage direct investment
Energy Partnership
- Creating an energy partnership between Iran, the EU and other willing partners
Agriculture
- Assisting agricultural development and cooperating in modern technology to help achieve self-sufficiency in food production
Environment, Infrastructure
- Establishing civilian projects in environmental protection, infrastructure, science and technology and high-tech fields
Civil Aviation
- Civil aviation cooperation and the potential ending of restrictions on manufacturers exporting aircraft to Iran
Economic, social and human development/humanitarian issues
- Economic, social development and humanitarian assistance including technical support in education
Implementation Mechanism
- Create joint monitoring groups to implement any future agreement
The E3+3 sent a separate letter offering to halt the push for tougher sanctions on Iran in exchange for Iran’s ending the expansion of nuclear activities.
Iran Responds
On July 4, Iran responded to the offer but did not address the demand that it freeze uranium enrichment, the requirement that has prevented negotiations for the past two years. Iran has agreed to negotiate common points, but claims its right to uranium enrichment is not on the table. Iran seemed to be sending mixed messages by not rejecting the offer outright and yet following up with missile tests on July 9 and 10. According to the semi-official Fars news agency, Solana will meet with Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalaili on July 19, but Western diplomats said the talks will not delay the push for additional sanctions on Iran.
