Iran and the European Union (EU) have so far faced many ups and downs in the path to secure stronger mutual ties, but the body has of late entered face-to-face talks with Tehran while redoubling its efforts to remove obstacles in the way of stronger ties.

The EU bloc –following an independent line on foreign policy– is now bent on inking trade agreement with Iran, believing that such agreements have the additional positive effect of expanding bilateral cooperation and even further encouraging the reforms already underway in Iran. The conclusion of trade cooperation agreements would pave the way for more European investment in Iran. Furthermore, EU officials expressed their support for Tehran’s bid to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) –a bid which was blocked by the U.S.