During the plenary session (12-15/11/18) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate (14/11) on extraterritorial effects of US sanctions on Iran for European companies. Statements by Vĕra JOUROVÁ, European Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Cristian Dan PREDA (EPP, RO), Josef WEIDENHOLZER (S&D, AU), Anna Elżbieta FOTYGA (ECR, PL) and Marietje SCHAAKE (ALDE, NL).

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

EU - USA (T)

EU - Iran (T)

JOUROVÁ, Věra (EC)

WEIDENHOLZER, Josef (S&D, AT)

FOTYGA, Anna (ECR, PL)

PREDA, Cristian Dan (EPP, RO)

SCHAAKE, Marietje (ALDE, NL)

Extraterritorial effects of US sanctions on Iran for European companies: extracts from the debate (14/11)

SOUNDBITE (English), V&#277;ra JOUROV&#193;, European Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, The re-imposition of the US sanctions may also bring substantial collateral effects. In particular, it put weight on the region&rsquo;s trade flows, energy supplies, connectivity and, ultimately, the security and stability of states, such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

SOUNDBITE (English), V&#277;ra JOUROV&#193;, European Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, We continue to support the joint comprehensive plan of action, as its provisions continue to ensure that Iran does not acquire material or equipment to develop a nuclear weapon.

SOUNDBITE (French), Cristian Dan PREDA (EPP, RO), The situation, that we find ourselves at the moment, where we are defending the economic interest of European companies, I think, comes as a consequence of an insufficient political response to the situation.

SOUNDBITE (French), Cristian Dan PREDA (EPP, RO), We should have serious discussions with the US. Cooperation with them remains a vital aspect in our relations with Iran. The challenges that we have to face together are many: the nuclear ambitions of Iran, replying to disastrous human rights situation in the country, the negative role, that Iran is playing in the Syrian crisis, the terrorism aspects and dimensions. These are the things, that become almost taboo.

SOUNDBITE (German), Josef WEIDENHOLZER (S&amp;D, AU), The United States have moved towards unilateralism, which constitutes a massive challenge and it is not only on Iran. We have to stand by our agreements without &ldquo;ifs and buts&rdquo;. And should it be necessary to carry on activating the blocking statute, but we need to build on trustbuilding measures, they are necessary, we cannot go on with just a good will.

SOUNDBITE (English), Anna El&#380;bieta FOTYGA (ECR, PL), Iranian companies, our partner in trade, are heavily controlled by revolutionary guard organisations, directly responsible for financing terrorism, bloody murders and madling in the region. Moreover, there is money-laundering present in the Iranian economy that was admitted even by Foreign Minister Zarif himself in the Iranian Parliament. We have to take all of this into consideration.

SOUNDBITE (English), Marietje SCHAAKE (ALDE, NL), The whole impression that the EU and Iran are in one sort of camp and that the United States is in another camp is deplorable. We are both liberal democracies and that should be leading us. I think, the way forward for us in Europe is to broaden our Iran policy and to include, very ambitiously, human rights and foreign policy concerns. While continuing to take reasonable steps to stay committed to our part of the nuclear agreement.