Solana: Iran has the right to nuclear plant for civilian use
IRNA
Brussels, Oct 22, IRNA -- The EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security policy, Javier Solana, Tuesday expressed his happiness over Iran`s decision to sign the Additional Protocol to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) describing it as a "very positive development." "I am very pleased, we are very pleased to see how things have evolved in Tehran in the relationship between Iran and the EU," Solana told reporters during a press conference together with NATO chief George Robertson in Brussels Tuesday night. "We hope that the agreement that has been reached, which is not definite as yet, will allow the objective of the EU for Iran not to have the capability of going into the weapons of mass destruction, particular nuclear." "But at the same time Iran has the right to have nuclear power plant for civilian purposes. That has been the objective of the EU and the majority of the countries of the international community," he said. "We have been in permanent contact with Mr. El Baradei. I had a long talk with him yesterday and I have talked with the three ministers a while ago. The situation is very, very constructive, very positive," said Solana. "We hope very much that those agreements will be implemented and implemented rapidly," he said. Asked by a reporter if Tuesday`s developments could be called a EU initiative since Solana and the current EU Italian Presidency was not present in Tehran, he replied, "let me remind you that the initiative of engagement with Iran is not new." "I was in Tehran in August and we started talking about doing something also on the nuclear issues." "There are three countries in the EU which have the level of technology that not everybody has...therefore those that do have the technology and capability should have the lead." "But this is within the EU policy, no doubt about that," he stressed. NK/210 End
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