EU urges Iran to continue cooperation with IAEA
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Brussels, March 10, IRNA -- The European Commission, the EU`s executive arm, called on Iran Wednesday to continue its cooperation with the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) "Discussions are continuing and I think Iran that has taken such major steps so far to cooperate with the IAEA should pursue that policy, continue down that path,`` said Commission spokeswoman for external relations, Emma Udwin. She was replying to a question during the daily Commission press briefing on statements by Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi who warned Wednesday that Iran might stop cooperating with the IAEA if European states did not stand up to US pressure. Udwin said that cooperation with the IAEA ``is the one that would lead to acceptance by the international community and which would be in the interest of Iran itself.`` The spokesperson noted that there are 35 members on the IAEA Board of Governors and 11 of them are current or future EU members. The European Commission does not have a seat on the Board. Asked what would be the consequence on EU-Iran dialogue if Iran would cut its cooperation with IAEA, she answered: "Let`s see first what the Board of Governors produces. That is the first thing. We haven`t seen the final text and decisions.`` "It is clear that the nuclear issue is one which is important for the whole international community and not only for the EU.`` Udwin added that discussions on the WMD is a priority in the EU-Iran political dialogue which is linked with talks on a trade and cooperation agreement. NK/212 End
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