Press release

European foreign ministers meet to discuss Iran

The Foreign Secretary visits Germany for talks on a diplomatic solution to Iran’s destabilising activities in the Middle East, and to meet key European allies.

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government

Crunch talks to find a diplomatic solution to Iran’s destabilising activities in the Middle East will be held today, as the Foreign Secretary travels to Berlin to meet key European allies.

In the Foreign Secretary’s first visit to Berlin, Dominic Raab will discuss some of the UK’s top foreign policy priorities including Iran, and China’s proposed new national security law in Hong Kong.

Talks between Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and his ‘E3’ counterparts, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, will focus on the importance of finding a diplomatic solution to de-escalate tensions, holding Iran to account for its destabilising regional activity, and keeping the door open for Iran to find a peaceful way forward.

In January this year, the E3 triggered the Dispute Resolution Mechanism to preserve the nuclear deal and bring Iran back into compliance. It remains committed to that process.

Following the G7 Foreign Ministers’ joint statement on Hong Kong, the Ministers will also discuss China’s proposed new security law in Hong Kong and the importance of working together to encourage China to live up to its international obligations.

The Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said:

International collaboration is vital as we continue managing the coronavirus pandemic, as well as working together on Iran and Hong Kong.

The UK, Germany and France have a long-shared history and I look forward to continue working together to promote our common values.

The Foreign Secretary will also hold bilateral talks with Heiko Maas, where the pair will look to increase co-operation on a range of issues, such as PPE supply to continue the fight against coronavirus, climate change and the conflict in Libya following the UK’s departure from the EU.

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Published 19 June 2020