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EU urges Iran to return to negotiating table

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Brussels, Nov 16, IRNA
EU-Iran
The European Union Wednesday called on the Islamic Republic of Iran to resume talks to resolve the nuclear dispute and to forge a better relationship between the two sides.

''We urge Iran to come back to talks on long-term arrangements on the basis of the Paris agreement,'' Douglas Alexander, the British Minister of State for Europe told the European Parliament in Strasbourg during a debate on Iran Wednesday evening.

Alexander, whose country holds the current EU Presidency, said a diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear programme should include an agreement on long term arrangements .

''Such a solution will help create a climate we believe for a better relationship with the EU.''
He, however, reiterated the EU position that Iran should reinstate the suspension of uranium conversion activity.

"Working and engaging with Iran is of course a challenge. But we must do our best to meet that challenge.''
''Our preference remains to aim for a mutually beneficial relationship based on cooperation on our shared interests. Europe wants Iran to realize its potential and grow and prosper,'' Alexander added.

The British official said the EU governments are in close contact with each other and also with other countries such as the US, Russia, China, India and South Africa about the next steps.

Expressing similar views, EU Commissioner for external relations, Benita Ferrero-Waldner said over the past few months, the EU has invited Iran to re-activate the comprehensive and human rights dialogue.

''I strongly hope that Iran will recommit itself to these purposes and seize the opportunity to clarify its position,'' she said.

''On the nuclear track, we still believe that engagement will be far preferable to brinkmanship, confrontation and isolation,'' said Ferrero-Waldner noting that the next meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors on 24 November will ''indeed be crucial.''
Angelika Beer, German Greens MEP and chair of the EP's delegation on Iran urged the Iranian leadership to play a positive role in the international community.

''Iran is a fascinating country with a young well-educated society,'' she said.

''We should not make the mistake of cutting off contacts with the civil society and slamming the door. We need to speak of rights and peaceful solution to disputes,'' said Beer.

The debate in the EP was held at the initiative of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats in the European Parliament , the largest group in the EP, following Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's statements on Israel.

In their speeches, Doulgas, Ferrero-Waldner and the leaders of the political groups strongly condemned Ahmadinejad's statement and said Iran's image has been damaged.

They also stressed that Iran is an important country which can play a leading role for peace in the region.

''Iran stands at a critical juncture. The world is watching to see how its new government faces up to the very important choices that it has to make in the weeks, months and years ahead,'' concluded the British minister.

On Thursday, the EP will vote on a resolution on Iran.

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