European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Javier Solana said on
Tuesday in Luxemburg that the door remains open for the formal
talks with Iran over nuclear issue.
"The door remains open for formal talks," Solana told a press
conference after the EU foreign ministers' meeting, at which the
ministers had discussed the Iranian nuclear issue.
"There is nothing, nothing new (about the Iranian nuclear
issue)," said Solana, adding that he made a phone conversation with
Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani just on Monday.
However, Solana stressed that the obstacles hindering the formal
talks between the EU and Iran remain.
"For the time being, the formal talks can not achieved," he
added.
Solana urged the Iranian leadership to take decision to remove
the obstacles.
On the same day, the EU foreign ministers adopted a statement on
Iran, saying that Iran's continuation of enrichment related
activities has left the EU no choice but to support consultations
on sanctions.
The statement said the proposals presented by Solana on Jun. 6
as a basis for a long-term agreement are "far-reaching" and would
"give Iran everything it needs to develop a modern civil nuclear
power industry while addressing international concerns."
"They would open the way for a new relationship with Iran based
on mutual respect and expanded cooperation in political and
economic fields," said the statement.
The EU ministers also expressed deep concern that Iran has not
yet suspended its enrichment-related and reprocessing
activities.
They reiterated that if Iran did not comply with the Security
Council's requirements, the EU would "work for the adoption of
measures under Article 41 of the UN Charter," which stipulates
economic and diplomatic sanctions.
However, the EU ministers, just like Solana, also noted that
"the door to negotiations nevertheless remained open."
They reaffirmed its commitment to a negotiated solution.
"Such a solution would contribute to the development of the EU's
relations with Iran. It urged Iran to take the positive path on
offer," said the statement.
(Xinhua News Agency October 18, 2006)
