French PM: Iran Talks Possible if it Scraps Enrichment

Nasdaq:

Europe is still willing to negotiate with Iran if it suspends all sensitive nuclear activities, France's prime minister said, adding that it was up to Iran to make the next move.

Dominique de Villepin told Russian government newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta that a step-by-step approach was the best response for dealing with Iran over its suspected nuclear program and stressed that the international community must remain united in its position.

"Let's be clear: This is not about starting a push for regime change in Iran, but about sorting out a proliferation problem," said Villepin, due in Russia on Monday. "Iran must re-establish confidence and give guarantees that its nuclear program is peaceful. Because these guarantees do not exist today." READ MORE

France, the U.K. and Germany, negotiating on behalf of the 25-nation European Union, led months of talks with Iran to insist that the Islamic regime must permanently scrap its uranium enrichment, a technology that can produce nuclear fuel or bombs.

"The door is still open to discussions if Teheran makes the necessary gestures," Villepin said in the interview, which was released Sunday by his office, ahead of its publication.

Tehran insists its nuclear plans are peaceful, to create energy for civilian use.

Villepin pointed out that Russia has also offered to enrich uranium for Iran to ease Western concerns that Tehran is trying to build atomic weapons.

"You see, what happens next depends on Iran's actions," he said. "The ball is in their court."

Villepin's talks are expected to be dominated by Moscow's efforts to negotiate a solution to the Iranian nuclear standoff and to reach out to Hamas after its victory in Palestinian elections. Villepin will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.