EU defends Security Council action on Iran

Iran Focus: London, Jul. 18 – The European Union expressed its “deep disappointment” on Monday that Iran had not accepted a package of incentives offered to it in return for it to suspend uranium enrichment. Iran Focus

London, Jul. 18 – The European Union expressed its “deep disappointment” on Monday that Iran had not accepted a package of incentives offered to it in return for it to suspend uranium enrichment.

“The Council [of the EU”> expresses its deep disappointment that Iran has not responded positively to the offer of negotiations put to it on 6 June by the High Representative following agreement between France, Germany, UK, China, Russia and the U.S., and with the full support of the European Union”, the 25-nation block said in a statement after an external relations council meeting in Brussels.

The EU recalled that the UN nuclear watchdog’s board of governors and the Security Council had repeatedly called on Tehran to suspend all uranium enrichment related and reprocessing activities. “The proposals put to Iran are an attempt to find a way for Iran to fulfil these requirements without further action in the UN Security Council”, the EU statement said.

“Since Iran has given no indication of willingness to engage seriously on the basis of the proposals the international community will have to return to the UN Security Council to make the decisions of the IAEA board of governors mandatory on Iran. Should Iran not comply, we will work for the adoption of measures under Article 41 of Chapter VII of the UN Charter”, it said.

“We remain committed to a diplomatic solution, and the ideas put to Iran remain on the table. Should Iran decide to suspend all its enrichment-related activities and to implement the Additional Protocol, the way to negotiation would be reopened and action in the Security Council could be suspended.

“The EU remains committed to building a long-term relationship with Iran based on confidence and cooperation. Such a development will depend on progress on all issues of concern which include terrorism, Iran’s approach to the Middle East peace process and regional issues”, it added.

The EU also said that it regretted the “deterioration of the situation of human rights in Iran”.

“Recalling its statement of 15 May 2006, the Council would like to draw particular attention to continuing violations of the freedom of expression and association, illustrated by the violent disruption of a peaceful demonstration on 12 June that advocated an end to legal discrimination against women”, it said.