EU Observer

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Foreign ministries are this evening (5 December) examining plans which could see the EU launch a major security initiative with Middle Eastern countries.

The EUobserver has learned that proposals are being considered to set up a security dialogue between the EU and countries to the "South and East of Jordan", perhaps including Iran.

Although part of a working paper called "The Strength of EU relations with the Arab world", diplomats say the term Arab may be dropped in order to ramp up the Union's policy of constructive engagement with the Islamic Republic.

"The question of Iran is part of the thinking that is going on" said one diplomat who described the options being discussed as wide-ranging.

A less ambitious option could be to expand the dialogue within the context of the EU's meetings with the Gulf Co-operation Council, according to another source.

Rocket science

"In Europe and elsewhere people have, in the past, proposed and implemented regional security dialogues as a way of building confidence, reducing underlying political tensions, creating transparency on military manoeuvres, doctrines and what have you" explained the Centre for European Reform's Steven Everts, who also backs including Iran in the initiative.

"With Saddam Hussein gone and everyone groping around for a constructive policy on Iran, now is a good time to take this forward", he said.

"The point of this idea is to signal to the Iranians that we take their security interests seriously, but that for them going nuclear is not the answer - therefore it is incumbent upon us to provide a broader set of policies".

"Some of the Iranian views on why they need nuclear weapons are paranoia and ideology, but some are built, in my view, on a justified feeling of being vulnerable".

The move may also mark the start of a more robust EU foreign policy.

"EU relationships with third countries tend to be very economics focused, it needs a good security political spin in my view for this to work", said Mr Everts.

Foreign Ministers will discuss the various proposals on Monday (8 December) at a ministerial meeting, before they are due to be formally presented to EU heads of state and government meeting later in the week.

Written by Andrew Beatty

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