Mogherini seeks boost to business opportunities in Iran with France, Germany, UK and U.S.

High Representative Federica Mogherini i held talks on Thursday night with her counterparts from France, Germany, the UK and the US on how the recent nuclear agreement with Iran - the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action - can be turned into real opportunities to do business in the country.

Following the meeting, the parties agreed a joint statement, which underlined: "The interest of European and other global firms in Iran is high, and it is in our interest and the interest of the international community to ensure that the JCPOA works for all participants, including by delivering benefit to the Iranian people. This includes the reengagement of European banks and businesses in Iran."

The parties pledged not to stand in the way of permitted business activity with Iran, nor to stand in the way of international firms or financial institutions' engaging with Iran, as long as they follow all applicable laws.

In the JCPOA, all parties pledged to take steps to ensure Iran’s access in areas of trade, technology, finance and energy. The EU and its Member States are exploring possible areas of cooperation with Iran, including the use of export credits to facilitate trade, project financing, and investment in Iran. The due diligence required for sanctions compliance is by no means unique to business opportunities in Iran.

"Our governments have provided extensive guidance on the scope of sanctions lifted and those that remain in place and will continue to do so including through additional guidance," the statement underlined. "We understand that firms may continue to have specific sanctions-related questions or concerns about doing business in Iran, and we stand ready to provide expeditious clarifications. We encourage firms to approach our governments to address remaining questions, rather than forgo opportunities due to misperceptions or lack of information."

The statement underlined that the parties to the JCPOA are committed to providing clarity on sanctions-related issues, but that businesses will make their own decisions about commercial activity with Iran, and stressed that there are factors within Iran’s control that have influenced companies’ decision-making and hindered Iran’s economic progress.

For Iran to realize the economic improvement it desires, it will also have to take steps to create an environment conducive to international investment particularly regarding the compliance with FATF recommendations. We are ready to fully support Iran's efforts in this process.

"On our part, we are committed to continue actively engaging with the private sector in order to clarify all sanctions-related matters and ensure that permissible business is not prevented by the lack of information. It is in our interest and the interest of the international community to ensure that the JCPOA works for all participants," it said.

Under the JCPOA, the European Union and the United States have lifted economic and financial nuclear-related sanctions on Iran in exchange for Iran’s significant curtailment of its nuclear program. This commitment to lift sanctions was fulfilled on Implementation Day, January 16, 2016, and, as a result, there are now extensive economic opportunities for companies and financial institutions in Europe and around the world to do business in Iran.