By Henrietta Billings - 13th December 2004
British, French and German foreign ministers meet Iran's top nuclear official Hassan Rowhani in Brussels on Monday evening for talks set to focus on Teheran's nuclear activities.
In November the so-called EU3 persuaded Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment programme - a key part of making nuclear fuel - in return for wide ranging dialogue.
But Tehran insists that its nuclear activities are allowed under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and suspension is only short-term while Britain, France and Germany want the halt to become permanent, reports AFP.
UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has been investigating Iran's nuclear programme for two years based on US fears that Teheran is secretly developing nuclear weapons.
At the meeting this evening, the two sides are expected to negotiate a long term agreement which guarantees that Iran will not develop a nuclear bomb, in return for incentives.
Iran hopes is hoping for benefits in areas of telecommunications, railways and financing, according to Reuters.
The IAEA agreed not to refer Iran to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions following Teheran’s promise to suspend its enrichment programme on November 29.
Javier Solana, the EU's foreign policy chief will attend the discussions, which will take place alongside the EU foreign ministers meeting also in Brussels.
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