The European Union and Iran have agreed to continue talks aimed at resolving Iran's nuclear issue following their latest round of negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland.  

Since late April, Iran has repeatedly vowed to resume its uranium enrichment program regardless of the outcome of the ministerial talks in Geneva.

However, analysts say talks between the two sides are bound to continue for the reason that if talks break down, Iran's nuclear issue will be referred to the United Nations Security Council, which will be detrimental to the interests of both the EU and Iran.

The EU trio of France, Germany and Britain represent the EU to mediate in Iran's nuclear talks in a bid to raise EU influence in the Middle East. The EU, unlike the US, opposes resorting to military means to resolve Iran's nuclear issue and does not want to take the issue to the UN Security Council unless it is absolutely necessary.

The EU policy reflects its own objectives and concerns. The EU is worried that the US military strikes on Iran might further destabilize the Middle East, which will in turn cause security concerns for the EU. The EU is so far the largest patron of Iran's oil exports. The EU also wants to use the occasion to display its peaceful diplomacy and that they will not easily back down from its stance, in comparison with a US hard-line policy.

For its part, Iran has repeatedly avoided a "showdown" with the international community by making concessions at critical junctures of the negotiations. Iran's strategy helps it win support from the UN atomic agency, IAEA, isolate the US in the issue, and most importantly engage the EU in the negotiations, thus securing the chance to exploit economic gains in the bargains.

The issue's future depends mainly on whether the latest "detailed proposal" put forward by the EU-3 in the Geneva talks is attractive enough for Iran and whether Iran will abide by its pledge to suspend its uranium enrichment program.

European analysts say it is still too early to say how Iran's nuclear issue will be resolved, as the country has always insisted on peaceful exploitation and use of nuclear energy by itself, a stance that is hardly acceptable for Western countries.

(CRI.com May 27, 2005)