Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Mazandaran University, Babolsar, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Prioritizing cooperation and interaction with neighbors could contribute to the stability and security of Iran's environment and provide suitable conditions for its economic development and progress. Nevertheless, with a realistic understanding of Iran's foreign policy challenges and opportunities, the approach of trans-regional actors, such as the European Union, to Iran's position and role in dealing with its neighbors cannot be underestimated. As part of the EU's global strategy, we can focus on Iran's role and position in its surroundings, especially in the Middle East. Question and hypothesis: The question discussed in this study is what policy and role does Europe play for Iran in the region, especially in the context of neighborhood policy?. In the hypothesis, it seems that the most important thing for Europe is to maintain stability and order in the Middle East within the framework of the European Union's neighborhood policy. However, a full consensus has not yet been reached on the nature and manner of acceptance of this role by Iran, and it continues to monitor major US policies in the region, so as US foreign policy is shifting to Asia, Europe's policy will become clearer. At the same time, Europe is trying to mitigate its concerns about expanding Iran's influence in the region through cooperation with the United States and its international and regional partners, with an emphasis on multilateralism diplomacy. Conclusion: In this study, the European approach is discussed with a focus on multilateralism and the issue is examined in the framework of descriptive and analytical methods. The research findings showed that Iran's neighborhood policy can provide new conditions for Iran's cooperation with neighboring countries. In the EU approach, neighborhood policy is also a well-known and familiar concept. Therefore, mutual understanding between the parties is possible to help Iran to develop cooperation with neighboring countries and at the same time use the existing capacities of the European Union. By studying the EU's global strategy, the following can be mentioned in the EU's approach to Iran's role and position in the region and relations with its neighbors: - Maintaining the targeted stability of Iran and the Middle East in the framework of neighborhood policy - Adopting an effective multilateralism approach to Iran - Facing the challenge of Iran's influence in the region - Drawing a roadmap for multilateral cooperation with Iran in the form of JCPA - Paying attention to Iran's role in dealing with the refugees and refugees crisis - Paying attention to Iran's role in the energy sector and the economic chain of the region - Paying attention to Iran's role in the field of challenges related to climate change
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