Check against delivery! 

President, Honourable Members of the European Parliament,  

The recent release of EU citizens, including EU-Iranian dual citizens, unjustly detained in Iran is very positive news. In the past few weeks, six European citizens unjustly detained in Iran came back to Europe and their families: two Austrian-Iranian citizens, one Belgian, one French-Irish, one French and one Danish citizen.   

However, these recent releases happened in the context of a growing number of illegitimate detentions involving European Union citizens in Iran. The European Union continues to urge Iran to release all of European Union citizens under arbitrary detention. Our thoughts are with those still in the country and their families. 

The European Union made clear its united position and coordinated approach on EU citizens detained in Iran in the Conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Council in December 2022 and in the Statement of the High Representative on behalf of the European Union of 20 February 2023. In order to have consular access, be able to intervene, and work for the release of all European Union citizens, we must keep our critical engagement with Iran. The European Union and Member States must keep diplomatic channels open.   

At the same time, the EU Member States are also recommending to their nationals to avoid travelling to Iran, in line with their respective national risk assessments, due to the acute risks.  

It is worth reminding that these consular cases are under the national competence of each Member State. That is why we have strengthened our coordination with the Member States.  

But let me stress that the High Representative/Vice-President [Josep Borrell] and his team are using every opportunity to express our firmest disapproval to the Iranian authorities towards this new, disturbing and unacceptable trend of detentions. 

It is also worth stressing that these consular cases are all quite different, often require discretion and that, unfortunately, there is no one size-fits-all solution.  

The European Union will continue to intervene and support whenever deemed necessary by the Member States involved.  

For instance, we have used every official opportunity, as well as more discrete channels, to discuss EU cases with the Iranian authorities, always in full in coordination with the consular efforts by Member States who have primary consular responsibilities.  

We will continue to work relentlessly for the freedom of unjustly detained EU citizens. 

Thank you. 

Link to the video:  https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-242415  

Closing remarks 

President, Honourable Members, 

The debate today testifies the [European] Parliament’s continued interest and solidarity with European citizens detained in Iran.   

I will share your input with my colleague High Representative Josep Borrell. 

While our support and solidarity [are] crucial, it is also important not to disclose here more details regarding specific individual cases. We must always be aware of the risks of undermining ongoing consular efforts.  

Let me stress once again that the European Union will continue to follow these cases in full coordination with the Member States involved and to use open channels to urge for the release of all detained European Union nationals in Iran. 

Thank you. 

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-242417