Iran nuclear programme causes 'grave concern' for EU leaders

Published on Friday 30 October 2009 21:21

EUROPEAN leaders yesterday pressed Iran to stick by a deal that would limit its uranium enrichment, voicing "grave concern" over the country's nuclear programme.

Western diplomats said this week that Tehran had rejected a plan proposed by International Atomic Energy Agency chief, Mohamed ElBaradei, at talks involving Iran, the United States, Russia and France.

The plan calls for Iran to export most of its enriched uranium to Russia and then to France. Iran missed an initial deadline of last Friday to respond, and instead this week offered to enrich its uranium to a higher level inside the country under UN supervision.

EU leaders expressed "grave concern over the development of Iran's nuclear programme".

A statement issued in Brussels on the second day of the leaders summit there urged Iran to agree to the UN atomic watchdog's proposal for supplying nuclear fuel to Tehran's research reactor, saying that such an agreement "would contribute to building confidence".

The Iranians' counter offer drew criticism both in Europe and Israel.

"It's the same old tricks," said Swedish foreign minister Carl Bildt, whose country holds the European Union's rotating presidency. "A back-and-forth for further talks."

The US and its allies believe Iran is seeking nuclear arms. Tehran says its uranium activities are aimed only at producing atomic energy.

EU leaders also said they deplored continued violations of human rights in Iran, and urged the authorities to release EU citizens and employees of European missions there.

Those held include a British embassy employee, Hossein Rassam.

The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, said the EU summit of leaders "clearly expressed its continuing concern about staff that have been detained in Iran and called for their prompt and unconditional release".