A meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council of the European Union reaffirmed here Monday its support for efforts to find a negotiated long-term solution to the Iranian nuclear issue.
After discussion by foreign ministers from the 27 member states at the meeting, the Council gave its full backing to the efforts of Javier Solana, the High Representative on behalf of the EU, and the international community to encourage Iran to return to talks on long-term arrangements.
The Council underlined its continuing commitment to the comprehensive package proposed to Iran in June 2006, according to a news release.
This package, among many elements, reaffirmed Iran's right to develop nuclear energy in conformity with its obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty and included active support to build new Light Water Power Reactors using state of the art technology. Iran still has the option to re-enter negotiations on that basis, in line with the double track approach.
The Council welcomed the agreement between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to resolve all questions concerning Iran's past nuclear activities and noted that full and timely implementation by Iran of the IAEA work plan would constitute a significant step forward.
As stated in the report of IAEA Director General Mohamed M. El Baradei, confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program requires that the Agency be able to provide assurances regarding the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities, through the implementation of the Additional Protocol and required transparency measures.
The Council urged Iran to fully implement the provisions of the Comprehensive Safeguard Agreement, including its subsidiary arrangements, implement the Additional Protocol pending its ratification, and to provide the Agency all information and co-operation requested.
Moreover, the Council expressed its hope that the Director General of the IAEA would be able to show, in his report in November, a positive outcome of his efforts in line with the requirements of the work plan agreed with Iran.
