The European Parliament's delegation for relations with Iran was established following the 2004 European elections, as a means of establishing a direct channel of communication between the Parliament and the Majlis of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
While this was at first largely a European Parliament initiative, the response from the Iranian side was positive. Following the first visit by a Delegation from the Majlis to Brussels in October 2006, the European Parliament Delegation travelled to Tehran in December 2007 in order to hold the 2nd EP/Iran interparliamentary meeting. The most recent interparliamentary meeting took place in Brussels in December 2008.
The EP/Iran meetings have offered a forum for open discussions between parliamentarians on subjects such as nuclear non-proliferation, the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking, climate change, and trade and investment relations. Dialogue on human rights has also featured on the agenda, and in particular the death penalty, women’s rights, children's legal treatment, the position of ethnic and religious minorities, freedom of press and opinion. The interparliamentary meetings have also offered the opportunity for intensive contacts with Government and civil society.
Although there have been no recent interparliamentary meetings because of the unfavourable political climate, the EP delegation continues to meet regularly and to examine all aspects of EU-Iran relations and the internal situation in Iran.
