Analysis: European diplomacy and the conflict over Iran’s nuclear program

In this dossier, published by Deutsche-Aussenpolitik.De, Marco Overhaus analyses the European contribution to the negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, focusing on the consequences for the EU’s international role.

For more than two and a half years the governments of Great Britain, France and Germany – supported by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Javier Solana – have been negotiating on behalf of the European Union to find a diplomatic solution to the international conflict over Iran’s nuclear program. Up to now, they were unable to strike a sustainable deal with Tehran.
In June 2006, the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany agreed on another package offer to Iran. It includes higher economic and political incentives as well as a more concrete prospect for non-military sanctions in case of no agreement than was the case with previous offers. Expectations are high as the latest package is based on a broad consensus including Russia and China. Moreover, the United States for the first time since 1979 declared its willingness to talk to Iran directly on the nuclear issue. 
This Dossier traces and analyzes the international efforts to solve the conflict over Iran’s nuclear program. The focus is on European diplomacy as Iran also poses a challenge to the EU’s ambitions to become a global actor beyond economic affairs. By analyzing those factors which have obstructed a diplomatic breakthrough so far, the Dossier also aims to provide a solid base line to assess the latest developments and the prospects for a diplomatic solution.

To read the full Dossier, please click here.