The collapse of the controversial INSTEX mechanism and the motivations behind the EU’s wrong policy towards the Islamic Republic of Iran
9.5.2023
Question for written answer E-001509/2023
to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Rule 138
Anna Fotyga (ECR)
The Iranian regime is notorious for human rights violations, a high number of death sentences and increasing numbers of executions. In its relations with the EU, it uses hostage diplomacy and it has been proven that Teheran has planned terrorist attacks in Europe[1]– including one which I could have been a victim of myself. Furthermore, in addition to fueling conflicts in the Middle East, Iran is supporting Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine. Meanwhile, it was only in March 2023 that the governments of France, Germany and the UK announced the liquidation of INSTEX, the Instrument In Support of Trade Exchanges[2]. This was specifically created in 2019 to allow participating countries to legally circumvent US sanctions and continue trade with Teheran[3][4]. The Commission supported it although it has been a major point of contention between Europe and the US. Given that the Islamic Republic of Iran is insignificant as an EU trading partner[5]:
- 1.What is the Commission’s assessment of the legitimacy of creating INSTEX?
- 2.Despite reports of Iranian support for the Russian Federation, why was INSTEX closed only in March 2023?
- 3.Does the Commission intend to perform an internal investigation into the real rationale and long-term plans for the creation and operation of this instrument, and what countries lobbied most strongly for its creation?
Submitted: 9.5.2023
- [1] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55931633
- [2] https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/iran/news/article/the-10-instex-shareholder-states-have-decided-to-liquidate-instex-due-to.
- [3] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/node/65472_en
- [4] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/node/64796_en
- [5] https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/iran_en