China calls for talks to settle Iran nuclear row
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Beijing, Feb 1, IRNA
China-Iran-Nuclear issue
Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing in London on Tuesday stressed the importance of resolving the issue on Iran's nuclear activities through negotiation.
China International Radio on Wednesday quoted Li's statement while he was addressing a meeting of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (Russia, China, France, Britain and the US) plus Germany.
Efforts should be made to continue the talks so the issue can be resolved, he said, and was further quoted as saying that the importance of negotiations should not be ignored.
The foreign minister also urged the two sides to avoid hasty decisions, exercise self-control and work to promote confidence.
According to the radio, foreign ministers of China, France, Germany, Russia, Britain and the United States along with a representative of the EU foreign policy chief held unofficial consultations in London on Iran's nuclear activities, and agreed that the issue should be settled through diplomatic channels.
China has repeatedly called for Iran's nuclear case to be settled within the confines of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
It has also stressed Iran's right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
Iran, as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), has the right to obtain nuclear technology to complete the nuclear fuel cycle. Based on IAEA regulations, other countries which have such technology may help Tehran in this regard.
Iran is insisting on its right to peaceful nuclear research under the supervision of IAEA inspectors but is being opposed by certain countries which ironically have atomic arsenals, the radio said.
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