The EU's Involvement In The Iranian Nuclear Issue Under The Perspective Of Effective Multilateralism

The EU was guided by the concept of “effective multilateralism”this in the process of intervening in the Iranian nuclear issue.The effective multilateralism helped strengthen the EU ’s internal cohesion and provides the “one voice” for its foreign policy;safeguarded energy and political security and found new diplomatic means to maintain the international nuclear non-proliferation system;meanwhile,it was in line with the EU ’s pursuit of international legitimacy,thereby promoting the growth of its power.To this end,the EU,relying on multilateral international organizations,deepened partnerships,insisted on using diplomatic negotiations as the main method to seek a peaceful solution to the Iranian nuclear issue.In 2003,these three European countries began to intervene in the Iranian nuclear issue with a positive and moderate attitude,quickly established the E3/EU mechanism with EU High Representative and reached agreements with Iran to limit its nuclear capabilities through contact policies.After the Ahmadi-Nejad came to power,the P5+1 mechanism(or E3+3 mechanism)was established with the United States,China,and Russia.As it was not well resolved,the nuclear issue was submitted to the United Nations,and the EU initiated a dual-track policy which includes both negotiations and sanctions while carrying out unilateral sanctions against Iran’s energy and finance,hoping to change Iran’s tough attitude.In 2013,negotiations among Iran and other six parties were resumed,and the JCPOA was signed in 2015 to cease sanctions for restrictions on Iran’s nuclear capabilities.Although the US withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear agreement hit the regional security situation and the economic interests of the European Union,the future of the Iranian nuclear issue has once again fallen into the unknown.However,the effective multilateralism played its due role in the EU ’s engagement in the issue.It enhanced the EU ’s strategic thinking,promoted the unity of EU member states,strengthened its cooperation with other countries,improved its international legitimcy and new solutions for solving similar international nuclear proliferation issues.Besides,the Iranian nuclear issue has not developed into a war,Iran has not yet possessed nuclear weapons,and the EU’s effective multilateralism has achieved its expected goals.