THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
On 26 July 2010, the Council adopted Decision 2010/413/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Iran.
(2)
On 24 November 2013, China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States, supported by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, reached an agreement with Iran on a Joint Plan of Action which sets out an approach towards reaching a long-term comprehensive solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. It was agreed that the process leading to this comprehensive solution would include, as a first step, initial mutually-agreed measures to be taken by both sides for a duration of six months and renewable by mutual consent.
(3)
As part of this first step, Iran would undertake a number of voluntary measures as specified in the Joint Plan of Action. In return, a number of voluntary measures would be undertaken which would include, for the Union, the suspension of restrictive measures concerning the prohibition on the provision of insurance and reinsurance and transport for Iranian crude oil, the prohibition on the import, purchase or transport of Iranian petrochemical products and on the provision of related services, and the prohibition on trade in gold and precious metals with the Government of Iran, its public bodies and the Central Bank of Iran, or persons and entities acting on their behalf. The suspension of those restrictive measures is to last for a duration of six months during which the relevant contracts would have to be executed.
(4)
Furthermore, the Joint Plan of Action also foresees a tenfold increase of the authorisation thresholds in relation to the transfers of funds to and from Iran.
(5)
Further action by the Union is needed in order to implement certain measures provided for in this Decision.
(6)
Decision 2010/413/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: