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Iran invites EU ministers for talks on additional protocol

IRNA

Tehran, Oct 19, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza 
Asefi said here on Sunday that Iran has invited the German, French and
British foreign ministers to Tehran for talks on Iran`s signing 
the additional protocol to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Asefi, speaking at his weekly press briefing, said the European 
ministers have been asked to provide Iran with their viewpoints 
regarding the NPT additional protocol, stressing that Iran will in 
turn declare its position to that effect. 
However, he added, no date has yet been fixed for the visit of the
ministers. 
"Given that the German, French and British foreign ministers 
had in a letter voiced willingness to cooperate with Iran, we 
proposed initiating a constructive dialogue with Europe," Asefi said. 
"We have invited the three foreign ministers to visit Iran and 
give their viewpoints. We are also currently considering the details 
of the issue and are planning to enforce it." 
The Islamic Republic is already a signatory to the NPT. 
However, the IAEA is refusing to provide Iran with the nuclear 
expertise that under the agency`s regulations it is entitled to 
receive, arguing that Tehran must first sign the NPT`s additional 
protocol that allows snap inspections of its nuclear sites. 
Expediency Council chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said Iran 
has certain conditions for signing the NPT protocol, stressing that 
these conditions may be the same as those of the US. 
Rafsanjani intimated in his sermon at Tehran Friday prayers that 
Iran`s signing of the protocol must not jeopardize its security, 
values and sanctities, and that it must not lead to investigation 
of issues that are not related to the nuclear energy. 
Asefi said Iran likes to settle the issue of the additional 
protocol in the shortest possible time and in such a way that Iran`s 
interests are guaranteed. 
"If the things go well, the date for the visit of the ministers 
will be very close, and it will be made public once determined," 
Asefi said. 
Asked whether Iran would sign the protocol before the deadline set
by the IAEA Board of Governors expires, Asefi said Iran has not 
concentrated its attention on the deadline. 
"We have not accepted the IAEA resolution, nor have we 
accepted the deadline either. Iran will declare its position 
once its concerns are removed. We have not concentrated our 
attention on the October 31 deadline that much," he said. 
The IAEA Board of Governors last month set an October 31 deadline 
for Iran to prove it is pursuing peaceful nuclear programs. 
The resolution that was submitted by Canada, Japan and Australia 
also calls on Tehran to clarify its nuclear program by the end of 
October and to suspend its uranium enrichment program. 
The IAEA resolution drew the ire of Iranian officials with 
President Mohammad Khatami calling it as "illegitimate, unjust and 
politically-motivated" last Tuesday. 
Khatami said Iran was determined to resolve the issue of the 
NPT protocol, stressing however that Iran gives its national 
interests and security paramount significance in taking any position 
to that effect. 
Asefi said Iran had launched two initiatives of reviewing 
cooperation with IAEA and debating about its concerns (with the 
agency). 
He said Iran has started a new round of talks with IAEA since 
Saturday. 
"The IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei has given us the necessary 
assurances that neither the text of the additional protocol nor 
its implementation will cause any worries for Iran," Asefi said. 
"The talks are still continuing and we have stressed the national 
security and the legitimate rights of Iran in our debates with the 
IAEA experts." 
ElBaradei visited Iran last Thursday at Tehran`s invitation to 
discuss Iran`s signing of the NPT protocol in his meetings with 
Iranian officials following certain state remarks that Tehran is 
willing to continue cooperation with IAEA. 
ElBaradei told reporters in Tehran that Iran should show full 
transparency and extend the required cooperation in the area of its 
nuclear activities so that the important issues can be resolved as 
soon as possible. 
This, he stressed, would guarantee not only Iran`s interests but 
also those of the international community. 
AA/213/212 
End