EU Offers Dialogue If Iran Halts Uranium Enrichment

11 October 2004 -- The European Union today offered to renew its dialogue with Iran on a number of issues if Tehran suspends its uranium-enrichment activities.
Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot made the offer, describing the EU's policy toward Iran as one of "engagement with a large number of incentives."

"If Iran on its side is willing to suspend all activities in the field of [uranium] enrichment for peaceful purposes, we are willing to continue with the dialogue, in other words a policy of engagement with a large number of incentives...[that include] the TCA, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement," Bot said.

He said these include a trade agreement and a number of other measures aimed at intensifying cooperation with Tehran.

Bot was speaking after the regular monthly meeting of EU foreign ministers.

The EU offer comes ahead of a November meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) directors, where the United States is expected to call for the issue of Iran's nuclear development program to be brought before the UN Security Council.

(AFP)