By Nicola Smith - 9th December 2003
EU foreign ministers on Tuesday gave a positive political signal to Iran but stopped short of resuming economic and trade talks.
While welcoming Tehran’s recent concessions to accept intrusive international inspections of its nuclear facilities and to halt uranium enrichment, the EU is continuing with a cautious approach.
“It is too early to set a date for talks,” said Belgian Secretary of State Jacques Simonet on Monday.
One EU official said that the absence of a date would give the EU leeway to push for progress on human rights concerns, the Middle East peace process and political reform.
Keen to give a positive signal to Tehran without appearing too lenient, the ministers their "readiness to explore ways to develop wider political and economic cooperation" with Iran.
"This can only be achieved through full international confidence in Iran's adherence to non proliferation and, in particular, in the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme," said a Council statement.
UK Foreign Minister Jack Straw confirmed that Tehran’s progress would be reviewed again in February next year.
This will follow further implementation deadlines from the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and a visit by EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana to the region.
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