Solana: We are still in the pre-negotiating phase with Iran
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Luxembourg, Oct 17, IRNA
EU-Iran-Solana
European Union Foreign Policy chief Javier Solana denied Tuesday that the 25-member bloc has cut off talks with Iran on the nuclear issue and said the door was open for negotiations.
Speaking at a press conference after a meeting of EU foreign ministers this afternoon, Solana said he spoke to Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani on the phone yesterday.
"We have said we maintain the door open for negotiations, But for this some decision have to be taken from the Iranian side," he said.
The situation has not changed since the six-plus-one meeting in London, said the EU foreign policy chief.
"When somebody wants to maintain the channel of communication open You cannot say talks have broken down," he said
Solana clarified, "We have not entered into formal negotiations.
We are in a pre-negotiating phase. We like to do as much as possible to enter into negotiations."
For the moment it is not possible, he clarified, because they have not overcome the problem of suspension.
Solana said the members of the UN Security Council have not come to any conclusions on sanctions on Iran adding that in the coming days that process might take momentum.
On his part, Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja, whose country holds the current EU Presidency, said the ministers did not discuss the issue of sanction on Iran.
He noted that the security council has the responsibility to decide on the sanctions adding that if the security council adopts the decision the EU will implement them.
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