Talking Away the Crisis? The E3/EU-Iran Negotiations on Nuclear Issues. College of Europe EU Diplomacy Paper 6/2007, November 2007

摘要

The E3/EU-Iran negotiations on nuclear issues have been ongoing since summer 2003 with the aim to find a balance between Iran’s desire to establish a peaceful nuclear enrichment programme and satisfying the safeguards of the international community against the possible development of a nuclear weapons programme. This paper provides an analysis of these negotiations and draws the conclusion that the E3, and later the E3/EU, have entered the negotiations with Iran without a clear strategy or alternative outcomes, focusing only on ‘getting what they want’. It argues that in order to reach a mutually acceptable solution, the E3/EU needs to take a more pro-active stand in preparing the pre-negotiations and negotiations. It will be important to find a common formula. The E3/EU needs to create a win-win situation and end the crisis before it is too late.