During the EP plenary session (15-18 January 2018) in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the situation in Iran. Statements by Johannes HAHN, Member of the EC in charge of European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), Knut FLECKENSTEIN (S&D, DE), Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK) and Marietje SCHAAKE (ALDE, NL).

Strasbourg

plenary session

EU - Iran (T)

McALLISTER, David (EPP, DE)

TANNOCK, Timothy Charles Ayrton (ECR, UK)

SCHAAKE, Marietje (ALDE, NL)

HAHN, Johannes (AT, EC)

FLECKENSTEIN, Knut (S&D, DE)

Situation in Iran: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, Member of the EC in charge of European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, We shouldn&rsquo;t forget that the restrictions on civil and social freedom in Iran have also been one of the top concerns of the Iranian people and of course for us. We the European Union have never refrain from raising human rights issues in our contacts with the Iranian authorities. For instance human rights were the first item on the agenda at the last high level dialogue last November.

SOUNDBITE (English), Johannes HAHN, Member of the EC in charge of European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, The people of Iran aspire for an open, free and fair country. We Europeans have always been on that site. We have not only called constantly for the respect of your human rights in public statements or private conversations , we have also chosen to engage with Iran to accompany an encourage reforms in the country.

SOUNDBITE (German), David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), We as European Parliament need to set out a clear demand. First of all those that responsible in Teheran must respect the rights of the demonstrators and respect the right to freedom of assembly and expression. We support the appeal to the Iranian leadership not to crack down on the protests and ask those who are responsible to actually put words into action.

SOUNDBITE (German), Knut FLECKENSTEIN (S&amp;D, DE), The nuclear deal is an example of what diplomacy can achieve, and Iran is respecting this deal. There is absolutely no grounds to question this and I think this can help to build up trust so that in the future we can perhaps address and solve other issues.  Questioning the deal means that we lose trust and confidence; we&rsquo;re not going to be able to solve problems and everything that has been achieved to date is going to be destroyed and I think it is time that the President of United States sees reason.

SOUNDBITE (English), Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK), It&rsquo;s clear that the protest emanating from a mixture of economic social and political concerns of the population at large analysis would even President Rouhani so has also conceded . On the nuclear deal I am conscious that for many western politicians that oppose it these protests are seen as a further justification of their position it&rsquo;s however vital the nuclear deal is seen as being totally separate from our general relations with Iran and standalone.

SOUNDBITE (English), Marietje SCHAAKE (ALDE, NL), The people of Iran have massively taking to the streets and peaceful demonstrations asking for more just open and free society as well as last corrupt leadership. They deserve the use of unequivocal support and should know the EU has their rights and their freedoms at heart and at the top of a political agenda. I do worry that the messages from the EU are not clear enough. Yes we should stick to your word on the nuclear deal and keep Iran to its commitments but this should not prevent us from engaging the Islamic Republic leaders on human rights and foreign policy.