Turkish, Brazilian officials: Teheran nuclear agreement still alive

Jul 25, 2010, 12:24 GMT

Istanbul - The foreign ministers of Turkey and Brazil, speaking Sunday ahead of a trilateral meeting with their Iranian counterpart, said they still believe in the nuclear swap deal signed between the three countries in May.

Turkey and Brazil mediated and persuaded Iran during a meeting in Tehran in May to store 1,200 kilograms of its low enriched uranium in Turkey until the fuel for Tehran's research reactor is delivered.

The Tehran agreement was, however, rejected by world powers as insufficient. The United Nations Security Council then imposed a new resolution and fresh sanctions on Iran last month in response to its nuclear programs, which is suspected of having military intentions.

But Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Sunday said he believes the swap deal could still be useful as a diplomatic tool. 'The Tehran Agreement has created a framework,' he said during a press conference with Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim.

'This is a facilitating instrument for increasing confidence building measures.'

Davutoglu and Amorim met prior to a scheduled luncheon with their Iranian counterpart, Manouchehr Mottaki.

'We will always encourage Iran to take a flexible position. I think that's in their interest,' Amorim said. 'But I think that other countries should act accordingly.'

'We believe Iran should able to pursue a peaceful nuclear program, but also give the world assurances that it has no military component.'

Amorim is in Turkey as part of a Middle East tour that will also take him to Israel and Syria. Turkish officials said the meeting with Mottaki was added at the last minute at the request of Tehran.

The meeting comes one day before European Union foreign ministers reportedly plan to approve the 'toughest ever' sanctions against Iran during a meeting in Brussels.