Luxembourg, June 16: It is "essential" that Iran makes progress on the key issue of non-proliferation, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said today, while reiterating that the EU wants to continue dialogue with Tehran. He was meeting as EU foreign ministers were due to discuss Iran at a two-day meeting in Luxembourg, and adopt a joint statement likely to express concern over the situation, according to diplomats.
"We've been negotiating a trade and cooperation agreement with Iran which we wish to see in place," said Straw. "But it is essential too that we see good progress on non-proliferation compliance by Iran and on human rights." He declined to comment on whether Iran had nuclear weapons, saying the issue would be discussed over lunch today.
"That's a matter for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). "We'll be studying the conclusions of the IAEA's last report," he said, noting that the UN nuclear watchdog was meeting in Vienna today. Iran has been accused by the United States of using an atomic energy programme as a cover for developing nuclear weapons, and has come under mounting pressure to take a confidence-building measure by giving IAEA inspectors full access to its facilities for surprise visits. Bureau Report