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EU wants Iran to ensure transparency in nuclear programme

World News
Aug 12, 2003

Brussels - European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, wants Iran to fulfill her obligations as a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) by taking steps to adhere to the relevant international instruments, such as the IAEA Additional Protocol, ensuring adequate transparency of Iran's nuclear programme.

In response to a question addressed to him by Portuguese member of the European Parliament (MEP), Paulo Casaca, on Iran's nuclear program, the foreign policy wizard of the European Commission, Chris Patten said; "We recognize Iran's right as a party to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes but strongly support that Iran must be fully transparent and in compliance with this treaty (NPT)".

Expressing his concern over what he described as Iran's failure to fulfill some of her obligations under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) safeguards agreement, EU commissioner Patten said the European Commission, welcomed the June 2003 report of Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), but recognizes the right of Iran to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

The EU has repeatedly stated that the issue of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) constitutes one of the major areas of concern in its relations with Iran. While recognizing Iran's right as a party to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, the European Commission strongly supports the view of the EU that Iran must be fully transparent and in compliance with this treaty, Patten underlined.

In response to another question sent by the MEP, the EU Commissioner Chris Patten said, The Commission would hesitate to refer to the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) as `the democratic opposition' to the regime in Tehran.

EU believes that more intense economic relations with Iran can be developed only if satisfactory progress is reached in the four areas of concern, namely human rights, terrorism, non-proliferation and the Middle East Peace Process.

The European Council of minister had been expressing concern over the development of the Iranian Nuclear programme and over the proliferation risks. The Council time and again reiterated its expectation that Iran show full transparency and co-operate fully with IAEA and meet its requests, in particular those referred to in the last Board of Governors meeting.

An urgent and unconditional acceptance, signature and implementation of an IAEA Additional Protocol on safeguards is of the utmost importance as it would be considered by the international community as a sign of the Iranian commitment in the field of non-proliferation an official at the EU headquarter opined.

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