EU envoy to Russia hails JCPOA as best possible nuclear deal

The European Union’s envoy to Moscow has described the 2015 Iran nuclear accord with world countries as the best possible agreement, saying the EU’s stance on the deal is closer to the positions of Russia and China than that of the US.

In an interview with Russia’s Kommersant daily on Thursday, Markus Ederer said that there were no reasons to cast doubt on Iran's compliance with the nuclear deal, known officially as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The EU regrets that Washington’s stance on the issue is different from that of Brussels, which is “closer” to the positions of Beijing and Moscow, said the diplomat.

Last month, Russia’s envoy to the EU Vladimir Chizhov warned that US President Donald Trump was blackmailing members of the European Union that are signatory to the nuclear deal.

Trump signed sanctions relief for Iran for the third time as part of Washington’s commitments under the JCPOA, but warned EU signatories that he was giving them “a last chance” to join the US in “fixing significant flaws in the deal.”

The remarks drew criticism from German, French and British officials, who have asked Trump to refrain from any action that would harm the landmark deal.

Officials from France, Germany and the UK have been working with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to explore different options to keep the deal in effect.

SS