EU Strongly Warns Iran on Nuclear Program, Human Rights
VOA News
21 Jul 2003, 16:26 UTC
The European Union has strongly warned Iran about its nuclear program and its human rights record.
Meeting in Brussels Monday, E.U. ministers expressed concern over Iran's recent behavior and announced plans to review ties with Tehran in September. They said closer economic relations depend on Iranian progress in four areas: nuclear non-proliferation, human rights, anti-terrorism and its attitude toward the Middle East peace process.
French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin said Iran must agree to stricter inspections of its nuclear program. Diplomats told Reuters news agency last week that U.N. inspectors recently found traces of enriched uranium in Iran, but Tehran denied secretly enriching uranium - a process that could be a step toward making nuclear weapons.
Meanwhile, Israel says it would like the European Union to play a more prominent role in the Mideast peace process.
After meeting with the E.U. ministers, Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said Europe and Israel cannot live without each other. He said that if the Union had what he called a "more balanced approach," the peace process would be smoother.
The European Union has refused Israeli requests to stop dealing with Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat, but Mr. Shalom said Monday that among friends, "we can agree to disagree,"
Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath also met with the European ministers.
Some information for this report provided by Reuters, AP and AFP.
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