Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 November 2006
30 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in relation to negotiations taking place between Iran and EU3 with regard to nuclear development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39481/06]
Amharc ar fhreagra91 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had recent discussions with European Union Foreign Ministers regarding the Iranian nuclear development programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39482/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 91 together.
The question of Iran's nuclear programme is kept under constant review within the European Union at official level and is also the subject of regular discussions at Ministerial level. The most recent such discussion was at the General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting of 13-14 November in Brussels, where Ministers received an update on latest developments.
There are currently no negotiations underway between the EU3 and Iran. Following Iran's failure to comply with the UN Security Council's 31 August deadline on suspension of enrichment-related activities, High Representative Solana, on behalf of the EU3, met with lead Iranian negotiator Ali Larijani on a number of occasions in September. However, these discussions failed to agree an acceptable formula for commencing negotiations. The EU side has been obliged, reluctantly, to conclude that Iran is not at this stage seriously interested in responding to the package of incentives presented to Teheran in June.
As a result of Iran's failure to comply with the Security Council's 31 August deadline, as set in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1696 of 31 July, the Security Council is currently discussing a second resolution that would impose additional restrictive measures on Iran, designed to increase pressure to comply with the Security Council's suspension demand. I would like to stress that the door to negotiations on the June package of incentives remains open should Iran choose to do what is necessary so that negotiations can commence. Meanwhile, the latest report from the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Dr El Baradei, continues to confirm Iran's lack of cooperation with the Agency's efforts to resolve the outstanding questions related to its nuclear programme. The matter will again be discussed by the IAEA's Board of Governors which is currently in session.
