Press Releases

Plassnik on EU-relations to Iran

At the request of the Iranian side Foreign Minister Plassnik had a lengthy telephone conversation with her Iranian counterpart Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on 14 February 2006.

Plassnik confirmed that Austria as EU Presidency was interested in a positive development of the EU's relations with Iran. However, she noted that this would depend on action by Iran to effectively address all the EU's areas of concern.

Plassnik conveyed to Minister Mottaki the position of the European Union on the issue of the resumption of enrichment activities in Natanz and urged Iran to reverse this measure as it represents an unnecessary escalatory step in a critical and decisive phase in the Iranian nuclear issue.

Foreign Minister Plassnik underlined the efforts by IAEA Director General El Baradei and the aim of the European Union to support these efforts and to strengthen the IAEA's role. She, furthermore, pointed to the proposal made by the Russians and encouraged Iran to conduct constructive talks with Russia on this basis as soon as possible.

“We do not question Iran's right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. However, the history of Iran's programme and the many unanswered questions have raised serious doubts as to the exclusively peaceful nature of this programme. Iran's action to limit IAEA access to her facilities is a further blow to international confidence. The resumption by Iran of enrichment-related activities will impact negatively on our overall relationship”, Plassnik said.

With regard to the attacks in Tehran on diplomatic missions and representatives following the publication of cartoons featuring the prophet Mohammed Plassnik declared that they are unjustifiable and completely unacceptable. She furthermore underlined the importance of freedom of speech as a constitutional principle and referred to the legal safeguards offered by the independent judiciary. She urged Iran to ensure the respect of its international obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Plassnik stated that the repeated and totally unacceptable statements of President Ahmadinejad had already been condemned unreservedly by the European Council. “Our relations with Iran need to be based on mutual confidence in order to be successful and a general political environment, which allows us to make progress”, Plassnik declared.