Iran-EU talks cannot continue without resumption of some nuclear activities

Tehran Times Political Desk:

The secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said here on Sunday that Iran has made a firm decision to resume some of its nuclear activities.

“We cannot continue nuclear negotiations with Europe without resuming some of our nuclear activities,” Hassan Rowhani told the Mehr News Agency. READ MORE

On the European Union’s recent request to hold talks on Iran’s nuclear issue, Rowhani said that the British, German, and French foreign ministers had asked him in a letter to delay the resumption of nuclear activities in Iran and made a proposal for a meeting with him in Europe to discuss the matter.

Besides the three EU countries, Russia, through its foreign minister, some Non-Aligned Movement countries, Japan, and even United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan have also asked the Islamic Republic to delay the resumption of nuclear activities until Iran and the EU reach a mutually agreeable solution, he added.

“The Europeans’ request is to continue talks over the next few days or in the next week, and we are currently studying this proposal.

“Of course, we approve of talks in principle and can even agree to delay resumption of activities for several days on condition that Europe takes a serious and independent approach in order to reach a mutual understanding.

“We have always preferred to reach an agreement before restarting activities, but if an agreement is not made, we will stand firmly on our decision and will certainly resume some of our nuclear activities,” Rowhani stressed.

The SNSC secretary noted that no decision has yet been made on the location and date of the talks.

On the preparatory activities currently underway at the Isfahan Uranium Conversion Facility, Rowhani said, “We have asked the UCF to make the necessary preparations for restarting activities as soon as the order is issued. “But, we will automatically delay the resumption of work until talks are held with the European ministers, probably next week.”

Asked about his views on the bill on mastering the complete nuclear fuel cycle which was ratified by the Majlis on Sunday, Rowhani said that the parliament is acting in line with the national will.

The country’s citizens and officials both insist on the Islamic Republic’s legal rights, and Iran is determined to obtain these rights, he added.

“This is a sensitive and international matter, and we have always tried to convince the world and Iranians th at we have taken peaceful approaches.

“We are not attempting to worry any country, and we do not want to see any of our friends concerned about our nuclear activities.

“This is why we have been negotiating with Europe for the past one and a half years, the top nuclear official said.

“Since Europe has now asked us to delay the resumption of nuclear activities, we did not refuse their proposal so that people would know we are not acting obstinately and that our activities are within the framework of law. “We are also ready to try any other approach meant to build confidence.”

On his meeting with the chairman of the Belgian Parliament’s foreign policy committee earlier on Sunday, Rowhani said that they had discussed Iran’s problems with the EU, the basis of Iran’s decision to restart some of its nuclear activities, and the Iran-EU talks set for next week.