EU Foreign Policy Chief Making Progress With Iran But No Breakthrough
Komfie Manalo - All Headline News Foreign Correspondent Brussels, Belgium (AHN) - European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana claims to be making progress in talks with Iran over its nuclear program, but he also admits that there has been no breakthrough on the key issue of uranium enrichment. He told the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, "We have reached common ground on quite a number of subjects. But we haven't agreed on what is a key point: suspension (of uranium enrichment). So far, up to today, Iran has made no commitment to suspend." Solana adds that he has held several negotiations with the Iranian government for a period of over four months to determine if talks between Iran and six countries comprising of Britain, France, Germany, United States, Russia and China, could commence based on a June proposal. The six countries offered Iran a package consisting of political, economic and nuclear technology incentives in return for Iran's suspension of uranium enrichment. However, the six countries are also threatening to refer the issue before the U.N. Security Council if the Iranians refuse to dialog. Solana adds, "Dialogue could not last forever. It is up to them (the six countries) to decide whether the time has come to follow the second track. But the door to negotiations is always open." He said the issue "can only be solved, and will be solved, through negotiations." "W |
