EU foreign ministers debate trade pact with Iran

EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg today debated whether to negotiate a trade and cooperation pact with Iran, which the US describes as a sponsor of terrorism.

US President George Bush has condemned Iran as part of an ‘‘axis of evil’’ with Iraq and North Korea.

Germany and the Netherlands have been pushing to make such an accord contingent on respect for human rights - so as not to upset Washington in the fight against terrorism.

Britain supports this and has proposed a political dialogue with Iran covering issues such as human rights, terrorism and the proliferation of arms of mass destruction.

France, Greece and Italy - arguing that a hard-line approach may effectively sink a deal with Iran - favour a simple free trade accord that could come into effect quickly after endorsement by the European Parliament, officials said.

The Europeans and the Americans have long disagreed on the correct approach to Iran.

In January, Bush included Iran with Iraq and North Korea as part of an ‘‘axis of evil,’’ accusing them of seeking weapons of mass destruction.

But Europeans have long been keen to have a relationship with the government of moderate Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, hoping to enlist it in the search for Middle East peace and boost trade.

Khatami faces the hard-line followers of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who control the judiciary and police.

Iran’s hard-liners and have closed pro-democracy publications and jailed or harassed reformist journalists and activists.