Borrell, EU Foreign Affairs Chief, Visits Saudi Arabia... "Expecting Resumption of Iran Nuclear Talks"

by Kwon Jaehee

Published 04 Oct.2021 07:46(KST)

▲Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy visited Saudi Arabia on the 3rd (local time) and expressed hope that talks to restore the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) would resume soon.

According to the AP News on the same day, Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, met with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan during his visit to Saudi Arabia to discuss the Iran nuclear negotiations.

Saudi Arabia had previously taken a negative stance toward the Iran nuclear agreement, which involved the United States and Western countries.

However, this year, through Iraq's mediation, senior officials from Iran and Saudi Arabia have met several times in Baghdad, raising expectations for a restoration of relations.

At a joint press conference with Minister Faisal, Representative Borrell said, "I hope the JCPOA restoration talks held in Vienna, Austria, will resume soon."

Minister Faisal, who held the fourth round of talks with Iran on the 21st of last month, expressed a cautious stance, saying it is still in the "exploratory phase."

Since early April, Iran has been negotiating in Vienna, Austria, with Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany to restore the nuclear agreement.

However, the negotiations were temporarily suspended on June 20th.

Regarding the Afghanistan situation, Representative Borrell expressed concern, saying, "If the (Afghan) economy collapses, the humanitarian situation will worsen, and the resulting terrorist threat will increase."