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Germany to appeal to Iran on nuclear programme in ministerial talks
Sep 15, 2008, 15:25 GMT
Berlin - German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is to appeal to Tehran to make a constructive response to the current offer from world powers over Iran's controversial nuclear programme in talks Monday with his Iranian counterpart, Manouchehr Mottaki.
Steinmeier's spokesman said ahead of the meeting in Berlin that Mottaki had asked for the talks.
'Our offer is on the table. We hope Iran will give a constructive
answer,' Jens Ploetner said.
He referred to talks between the European Union's foreign policy chief Javier Solana and Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Saeid Jalili.
Steinmeier would underline how serious the issue was for the European Union and for other powers participating in attempts to compel Iran to abandon aspects of its programme, in particular the enriching of uranium.
'Our offer is serious,' Ploetner said, adding that if there was no positive response from Tehran, the alternative was further action through the UN security council.
Germany has joined the five permanent members of the security council in so-called E3+3 talks with Tehran on the issue.
The world powers have offered Tehran comprehensive economic and political cooperation, including providing it with nuclear fuel for its planned power stations, in return for a halt to what they see as Iranian moves towards making nuclear weapons.
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