In the Council's statement on Iran's confrontation with the international community, I shall comment on the following issues:
The resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue is a major concern for the international community, which has serious reservations regarding the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme. Over the past few years, the EU has spared no effort to find a solution by negotiation and to urge Iran to take confidence-building measures with regard to its nuclear programme.
In the recent past, Iran has moved in the wrong direction by taking unilateral steps – such as the recent resumption of uranium enrichment activities in Natanz and the suspension of application of the IAEA Additional Protocol.
With the adoption of the Resolution of 4 February 2006, which refers the matter to the United Nations Security Council, the IAEA Board of Governors gave Iran a clear signal. The broad majority by which the Resolution was adopted is evidence that Europe's deep concern about Iran's nuclear programme is shared by the international community as a whole.
The EU by no means calls into question Iran's right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The cause of this conflict lies in the fact that Iran has not as yet done enough to build the necessary confidence as to the peaceful nature of its nuclear programme. On the contrary, over the past 18 years Iran has not declared to the IAEA a substantial part of its very extensive nuclear programme and to this day refuses to give the IAEA important information. In particular this concerns the extent of development of uranium enrichment technology and the area of "weaponisation", i.e. the militarisation of its nuclear programme.
The EU's aim continues to be to resolve the issue through negotiations. However, this calls for Iran to show sufficient willingness to cooperate and transparency, particularly vis à vis the IAEA, and to take urgently needed confidence-building measures, such as the suspension of sensitive nuclear activities. Russia's proposal to build up a Russian Iranian uranium enrichment capacity on Russian territory as an alternative to enrichment in Iran is an important contribution and is fully supported by the EU.
The EU remains committed to a diplomatic resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue, in which the IAEA must play a central role. Involvement of the Security Council is not synonymous with a reduction in the IAEA's role, but should instead strengthen the IAEA's authority and make it possible to implement the measures called for in the Resolutions of the IAEA Board of Governors.
The EU continues to regard the human rights situation in Iran with great concern. The situation is worsening, and no concrete measures are being taken by the Iranian authorities to reform legislation or official practices. Despite the EU's repeated requests, Iran has made no renewed commitment to continue the dialogue on human rights which has at present been suspended. The EU will continue to raise its concerns about human rights, both directly vis à vis the Iranian government and in public statements and international bodies.
The comments made by the President of Iran concerning Israel have been clearly and sharply condemned by the EU and the international community as a whole. Iran's attitude to the Middle East gives rise to serious concern. Iran continues to support Palestinian groups which the EU classifies as terrorist organisations. We note with disquiet that the President of Iran recently met some leaders of such groups in Syria, and we call on Iran to end such contacts. We further call on Iran to join the international consensus on the need for a two State solution in the Middle East conflict.
Repeated attempts by the President of Iran to deny the crime of the Holocaust and calls for the State of Israel to be "wiped off the map" must be sharply rejected. Such statements are absolutely unacceptable. Furthermore, they completely contradict the efforts of numerous political and religious leaders who, especially after the most recent events, are on all sides deliberately fostering a dialogue between the cultures which is characterised by mutual respect.
The EU's relations with Iran will depend on progress made in all the issues at stake: the nuclear issue and other concerns in connection with weapons of mass destruction, human rights, counter terrorism and Iran's attitude towards the Middle East. The options for EU action will continue to be examined very closely and weighed up in the light of the action taken and statements made by Iran.
The attacks against bodies of the European Union cannot in any way be justified and are completely unacceptable. The EU Presidency has condemned these attacks and called on Iran to meet its obligations within the meaning of the protection prescribed in the 1961 Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.
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