Mogherini: EU special payment system for Iran ready by end of year

BRUSSELS, Dec 10 (KUNA) -- European Union High Representative Federica Mohgerini announced Monday that the EU's special purpose vehicle (SPV) for payments to Iran will be established in the coming weeks.
The ministers of France, Germany and the UK briefed the meeting on the state of play on the establishment of the special purpose vehicle, she told a press conference after a meeting of EU foreign ministers this evening.
"We all supported their work they are doing with their finance ministers. I expect this instrument to be established in the coming weeks before the end of the year as a way to protect and promote the legitimate business with Iran," said the EU foreign policy chief.
But she refused to give details about the SPV, saying "I will not share details of the work which is ongoing. It will be for the E3 to announce it," Mogherini said and added that the payment instrument will be open for third countries to use it also.
"Our strong support to the full implementation of the JCPOA dosen't mean that we turn a blind eye on the other issues," she said.
Mogherini said the EU foreign ministers expressed their full support to the EU member states "which have seen illicit activities from some sectors of the Iranians as it was the case in France and Denmark." The full implementation of the JCPOA is also the basis of our regional dialogue with Iran, she said.
"We have a high level dialogue with Iran. As we speak, we are holding another round of EU dialogue with Iran and with E4 (Italy, France, Germany and the UK) on regional issues starting from Yemen," she said.
She noted that Iran has used its influence on Houthis to start discussions in Sweden on Yemen under UN auspices.
"On the basis of the full implementation of JCPOA we could perhaps through dialogue continue to address other issues that are of serious concern for us including the ballistic missiles, Syria and other issues," added the EU's top-most diplomat. (end) nk.sd