EU's Solana planning talks with Iran's nuclear negotiator (Roundup)

Sep 12, 2009, 4:40 GMT

   Brussels - The European Union on Friday said it is planning to hold talks soon with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator on new proposals made by Tehran to the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany.

   'We are in contact with Dr (Saeid) Jalili's office to arrange a meeting at the earliest possible opportunity,' EU foreign policy head Javier Solana said in a statement in Brussels.

   'I have received the Iranian paper and am studying it,' Solana said. 'We are all committed to meaningful negotiations with Iran to resolve the international community's concerns about their nuclear programme.'

   In Washington, the US State Department also indicated it was willing to meet with Tehran.

   'We are seeking a meeting now based on the Iranian paper to see what Iran is prepared to do. And then, as the president has said, you know, if Iran responds to our interest in a meeting, we'll see when that can occur,' spokesman PJ Crowley said.

   On Thursday, the US said Iran's proposal was inadequate and failed to address concerns about its nuclear programme.

   Iran on Wednesday delivered a new package of proposals to the six countries involved in nuclear talks, which include China, the US, France, Russia, Britain and Germany.

   Tehran issued its proposals shortly before International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei said Wednesday in Vienna there was a 'high probability' that Iran worked to develop nuclear weapons in the past, according to if some intelligence information.

   Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the country would continue what he claims is a peaceful nuclear energy programme.

   The foreign ministers of the 27 EU states plan on Monday in Brussels to discuss possible toughening of UN sanctions against Iran. Such attempts have previously been vetoed by China and Russia.