According to Richard Howitt, the Iran nuclear deal is "a superb victory for European diplomacy".

MOSCOW (Sputnik)�� The nuclear deal with�Iran is "a superb victory for�European diplomacy" providing an opportunity to�reintegrate Tehran into�the international community and contribute to�the stability of�the whole region, Richard Howitt, a EU lawmaker whose report on�EU strategy toward�Iran will be discussed by�the European Parliament on�Monday, said.

"The deal was a huge prize for�peace and stability in�a troubled region, particularly as�we weep at�the humanitarian catastrophes in�Syria and Yemen. Getting Iran back to�the diplomatic table to�solve those conflicts is a crucial part of�what this new strategy can achieve," Howitt said as�quoted by�the parliament press service. According to�Howitt, a member of�the Group of�the Progressive Alliance of�Socialists and Democrats, several years ago there was no engagement between�Iran and Europe, while the 2015 nuclear deal became a milestone in�reviving the country�s relations with�Western nations.

Howitt argued that in�order to�achieve more progress, the European Union should expand trade with�Iran, lift the remaining sanctions, promote cooperation in�various spheres, like�security, human rights and environmental issues, work closely on�bilateral and multilateral issues to�ensure stability in�the region and effective implementation of�the nuclear deal.

"There are people who want to�keep Iran weak and isolated. The consequence of�the agreement breaking down�would be Iran returning towards�nuclear proliferation, an immediate security threat for�the Gulf region and Israel. There would be no dialogue on�improving human rights and ultimately the Iranian people would lose out�more than�anyone," the lawmaker pointed out. In July 2015, the P5+1 group of�countries comprising the United States, Russia, China, France and the United Kingdom plus Germany, reached an agreement with�Iran to�ensure Tehran�s nuclear program remained peaceful in�exchange for�the relief of�nuclear-related sanctions. In mid-January, the sanctions were removed after�the International Atomic Energy Agency verified Tehran�s compliance with�the deal.

By Sputnik