Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Borrell i Fontelles on behalf of the European Commission

2.9.2022

The EU remains firmly committed to the prevention and fight against terrorism in all its forms. The EU continues its work on counter-terrorism in close coordination with the Member States including through the Council Working Party on Terrorism (International Aspects) (COTER), as well as with all relevant EU institutions involved and international partners.

The High Representative has a long-standing and clear position on Iran’s distressing practice of arbitrarily detaining EU-nationals and EU-Iranian dual nationals, which he has also repeatedly stated in public interventions at the European Parliament. No individual should be used as a pawn.

Regarding the issue of the recently ratified treaty between Belgium and Iran on the transfer of sentenced individuals, it is not the role of the High Representative to comment on such bilateral treaties, which remain a Member State competence.

The EU has a comprehensive policy approach towards Iran, combining dialogue and critical engagement, as outlined in the Council Conclusions of February 2019[1]. As a result, the EU will continue to address all issues of concern in its exchanges with Iran.

• [1] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/02/04/iran-council-adopts-conclusions/