BRUSSELS, Oct 25 (KUNA) -- The European Parliament in its full session in Strasbourg Tuesday adopted a resolution on a new EU strategy towards Iran following the nuclear agreement by 456 votes to 174.

The resolution says that the EU should reset its relations with Iran through comprehensive, cooperative, critical and constructive dialogue.

It advocates expanding trade with Iran, and calls for active EU diplomacy to de-escalate tensions between Tehran and Riyadh.

"My report stands for peace, an active diplomatic role for Europe, and a belief that by identifying common interest where it exists, that it is possible to build on it," said EP rapporteur of the report, Richard Howitt from the UK.

The resolution notes that "the Iran nuclear deal was a notable achievement for multilateral diplomacy, and for European diplomacy in particular".
It also warns that any backsliding by Iran on the nuclear dela "can lead to the reintroduction of sanctions".

The EP supports the expansion of the EU's trading relations with Iran, which currently stand at about USD 8 billion, and believe it should aim towards making the EU Iran's main trading partner.

It welcomes the positive results already brought by the nuclear deal: a 43% increase in trade between Iran and the EU during the first six months of 2016 and around 30 Iranian banks reconnecting to SWIFT.

The resolution says that "the worsening struggle between Iran and Saudi Arabia for political and religious influence, which affects the security situation in the Middle East and beyond, is of concern." Therefore, it calls for an active EU diplomacy to de-escalate tensions between Tehran and Riyadh, as their constructive cooperation is essential in "finding solutions to end armed conflicts in Iraq, Syria and Yemen".

By Kuwait News Agency