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Solana: We are ready to cooperate with Iran to develop civilian nuclear program

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Brussels, Oct 5, IRNA
EU-Iran-Solana
European Union High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana stressed Wednesday that Iran's nuclear issue will be solved through negotiations.

"I'm convinced that the Iranian dossier can only be solved, and will be solved, through negotiations. We have the right framework and the right broad basis for that," Solana told the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee in Brussels Wednesday afternoon.

"Iran will develop a civilian nuclear program as many other countries in the world. And Iran will do it better and more efficiently if it is done in cooperation with us. From a political and technological point of view both sides have a lot to win. They, and we, know that," he said.

Solana said that he and his Iranian counterpart have been negotiating Iran's nuclear dossier for endless hours.

"It has been my top priority because I'm convinced that this is a crucial subject for international security. My Iranian counterpart has also spared no effort, and I have to say that I have found in Dr Larijani an intelligent partner who deserves all my respect." "We have reached common ground on quite a number of subjects. But we haven't agreed on what is a key point: suspension. So far, up to today, Iran has made no commitment to suspend," added the EU foreign policy chief.

The six countries (five permanent members of the UNSC plus Germany) said Solana has followed a two-track approach: dialogue and referring the case to the UN Security Council.

"Dialogue cannot last forever. It is up to them to decide whether the time has come to follow the second track. But the door to negotiations is always open," he stated.

Solana remarked that "Iran is an old, wise nation, a key partner in regional and world affairs. The nuclear issue is just one element, even if it is a key one, of a much broader relationship."

"We want to cooperate with Iran in other subjects, not least the Middle East, and we should do irrespective of the ups and downs in the nuclear issue."
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