EU to stick to parallel sanctions & talks policy with Iran-Solana

Geneva, June 26 (Itar-Tass) - The European Union will pursue a
parallel policy of negotiations and sanctions envisaged by the United
Nations in order to make Iran suspend its research in the sphere of
uranium enrichment, EU foreign policy and security chief Javier Solana
stated here on Wednesday.

He said in relations with Iran the EU is using a double mechanism -
the negotiating process to make Iran drop its nuclear programmes, and
participation in international sanctions envisaged by decisions of the UN,
the official noted.

He said Western powers will continue a "double track" policy of
sanctions and diplomacy towards Iran over its nuclear activity.
"In the meantime, he will keep the double track open ... We want to
have a solution which is diplomatically negotiated," according to Solana.

Solana specified that the EU would prefer a formula of serious talks
if it is found. At the same time, the EU is strictly abiding by the UN
Security Council resolutions in relations with Iran not going beyond their
framework.

In this connection he pointed out that freezing of assets of the major
Iranian Bank Melli in Europe is not an additional new influence measure on
Tehran, because it has been taken within the framework of a programme of
action (worked out by the UN in 2006) aimed at dismantling Iranian uranium
enrichment programmes that may help create nuclear weapons.