EU Presidency Statement on Iran

IRAN: STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENCY ON BEHALF OF EU LEADERS MEETING AT HAMPTON COURT PALACE, SURREY

EU leaders meeting at Hampton Court today condemned in the strongest terms the comments in respect of the State of Israel attributed to President Ahmedinejad of Iran. Calls for violence, and for the destruction of any state, are manifestly inconsistent with any claim to be a mature and responsible member of the international community.

Such comments will cause concern about Iran's role in the region, and its future intentions. The fact that these comments were made on the same day as a horrific attack on Israeli civilians should reinforce the lesson that incitement to violence, and the terrorism that it breeds, are despicable and unacceptable acts. For its part, the EU remains committed to a solution to the Arab-Israel dispute based on the principle of two states living side-by-side in peace and security. It urges all parties in the region to do their utmost to bring that vision to fulfilment.

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• EU Presidency Declaration on EU-Iran Human Rights Dialogue (20/12/2005)
• Speech by EU Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner on recent declarations by President of Iran (16/11/2005)
• EU Council Conclusions - Iran (7/11/2005)
• EU Parliament President Borrell condemns statement of Iranian President about Israel (27/10/2005)
• EUHR Solana on remarks attributed to Iranian President Ahmadinejad (26/10/2005)
• EU Council Conclusions on Iran  (3/10/2005)
• EU-Iran negotiations for Trade and Cooperation Agreement (11/1/2005)