United States and European Union : Iran Nuclear Crisis, Policies and Future Relationship

 

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Understanding the relation of United States and European Union cannot be seen from only one or two perspectives. Indeed, in their long term of relationship which can be seen from each sides’ history giving some pin points which can be referred on how the relationship between both parties work in gear. We can also seen how the characteristics of both countries’ teamwork in dealing within international Communities, Problems and Their Solutions.

            The Crisis of Iran or can be called as Iran Nuclear Crisis was one of very important and crucial problem within United States and European Union quietly bonded relationship and International Societies. Regarding and dealing with the crisis, the United States Policies and European Steps in Policies are being challenged today. Solutions must be dealt as soon as possible because they both are superpowers from the west, and considered as figure to be imitated for their good and progressive governments in both side which will create image within international relations and future. Then What Will they do towards this Iran Nuclear Crisis and what steps and policies conducted by both countries also how can they restore the condition into the better future relation? It will be described in this article.

Background

Cooperation between the European Union and the United States to resolve the nuclear threat posed by Iran is unusual in that Europe has for once adopted a proactive approach, rather than limiting itself to supporting or critizing american policies, and that washington has accepted that Europeans define their own approach. One reason why Transatlantic Collaboration on Iran is easier than in other policy areas is that United states and the European Union share a common goal, namely to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, an aim also approved by United Nations and its nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna. (Perthes, 2005: 17-20).

European Union Side : Policy

Beginning with June 2003, the European Union decided to use conditionality as part of its approach in the Iranian nuclear crisis. As noticed even by the member states, stronger economic relations can be developed only if Iran makes progress in four main areas, namely human rights, counter-terrorism, nonproliferation and the Middle East Peace Process (Council of the European Union 2003, 24).

The main aim of the negotiations between the European Union and Iran was to determine Tehran to abandon parts of its nuclear program that raised concerns regarding proliferation, especially the plans to construct a uranium enrichment facility and a heavy water reactor (Kile 2005, 125). These elements of the Iranian nuclear program have a dual use and their elimination would have guaranteed the Union that the program has indeed only civilian purposes.

United States Side : Policy

            Whereas the Union adopted along with the other member states of the P5+1 group the double strategy approach that combines the use of diplomacy with sanctions, the United States seemed to be more willing to accept a negotiated solution and became less aggressive in rhetoric, especially with reference to the military solution. We witness as an alignment of the policies of the European Union and the United States on solving the nuclear proliferation case of Iran, which does not necessarily mean the total absence of transatlantic divergences, since the US were more inclined to play the role of the ‘bad cop’ while the European Union that of the ‘good cop’ in the relations with the Tehran authorities. (Laşan, 2014: 49-63).

Future Prospect Towards The Crisis and The US and EU Relationship

Regarding to A framework for transatlantic relations on December 1995 between United States and European Union which emphasize on 4 points which are :

– promoting peace and stability, democracy and development around the world;

– responding to global challenges;

– contributing to the expansion of world trade and closer economic relations;

– building bridges across the Atlantic.

As we can see that the Possession of Iran Unclear Nuclear Usage is considered as in the contradiction with the peace and stability also development around the world as stated for highest value of relation between United States and European Union, then both party will keep their eye and more comprehensive understanding of the situation. Regarding with the first point, the second point which of Iran Nuclear Possession can be also counted as the global challenges which will determine their future image.

Today in 2015 a new steps within both party regarding the Iran Nuclear Crisis has gotten into better step restoring into almost peaceful condition among the parties. The U.S. White House says U.S. and EU nuclear-related sanctions will be suspended after the IAEA has verified that Iran has taken all of its key nuclear-related steps.  (Reuters, 2015). It means that if Iran had already fulfilled all the key nuclear related steps and had been verified as peaceful usage of Nuclear energy then gradually United States and European Union will lift the sanctions to make the economic and state access of Iran around the world at ease.

 References

• Council of the European Union. 2003. Conclusions 2518 meeting of the Council for General Affairs and External Relations. No. 10369/03. http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/gena/76201.pdf.
•  Kile, Shannon N. 2005. “Final thoughts on Iran, the EU and the limits of conditionality”. In Europe and Iran. Perspectives on non-proliferation, edited by Shannon N. Kile. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

•  Laşan, Nicoleta. 2014. “European Union Intervention in the Iranian Crisis - A Sociological Institutionalist Perspective”. ROMANIAN JOURNAL OF EUROPEAN AFFAIRS.

•  Perthes, Volker. 2005. “The EU Needs a U.S. Input on Iran” . European Affairs.

• Reuters. 2015. “U.S., EU 'nuclear' sanctions on Iran to be suspended after IAEA's verification”. Online Accessed on June 29, 2015. http://www.unian.info/world/1063121-us-eu-nuclear-sanctions-on-iran-to-be-suspended-after-iaeas-verification.html.

Also See :

The Erasing Sanction Towards Iran By Sri Nurhidayati

The US-EU Sanction on Iranian Oil By Metri Pangestika

Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action By Anggi Widyastuti

US and EU : Nuclear Iran Issues at Now By Panggah Ardian

The Impact of economic embargo of Iran By Sintya Ayu Wardhani

Economic Sanctions Against Iran and Its Impact By Fachrul Yuan Arofat