The foreign ministers of China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States met in London on January 30. The High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union, Javier Solana, was also present at the meeting.
The aim of their meeting was to agree on a common strategy for the extraordinary meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors on February 2.
UN Security Council to decide on measures to be taken
The foreign ministers issued a joint statement in which they expressed serious concerns about Iran's nuclear program and agreed that an extensive period of confidence-building was required from Iran. They called on Iran to restore in full the suspension of enrichment-related activity, including research and development, under the supervision of the IAEA. They underlined their commitment to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and their determination to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
The Board of Governors is to report its decision on the steps required from Iran to the Security Council. However, the foreign ministers agreed that the Security Council should await the Director General's report to the March meeting of the IAEA Board before deciding to take action to reinforce the authority of the IAEA process.
Russian proposal potential basis for negotiations
The foreign ministers confirmed their resolve to continue to work for a diplomatic solution to the Iran problem. In a motion to the Board of Governors the foreign ministers of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom (the 'EU-3') have asked for objective guarantees that Iran will use nuclear power exclusively for peaceful purposes.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier criticized the fact that thus far no proposals have come from Iran. He said a proposal put forward by Moscow, under which Iran would be able to enrich uranium in Russia, could serve as a basis for negotiations.
Common strategy agreed in dispute with Iran
Tue, 31.01.2006
Photo: Photo: IAEO
IAEA to report to the Security Council.
The foreign ministers of China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union agreed on a common strategy for dealing with the current dispute with Iran over uranium enrichment activities. The IAEA is to file a formal report of its findings to the UN Security Council.
