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Solana seeks talks with top Iranian negotiator Larijani

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said yesterday he hopes for an early resumption of negotiations with Iran following the UN Security Council's decision to impose new sanctions aimed at forcing Tehran to bring its nuclear program into line with international demands.

Solana told reporters that he was seeking immediate talks with Iran's senior negotiator, Ali Larijani.

"We want to get in touch with Dr. Larijani, this morning if we can, to try to find a route that would allow us to go into the negotiations," Solana told reporters on the sidelines of a EU summit.

"The door is open for negotiations, let's see if together we can go through," he said.

Solana said talks with Larijani would seek to "prepare a route that leads to a negotiated solution to this conflict."

Solana issued a statement on Saturday night, immediately after the UN resolution was passed in New York, that confirmed the continued "twin track" approach by the Europeans, US and other world powers.

The approach involves gradually imposing tougher sanctions if Iran fails to halt uranium enrichment but offering negotiations on economic and political advantages for Iran if it falls into line.

"We want to be as generous as possible," Solana said.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier also urged Iran to comply with UN resolutions "in order to clear the way for the start of negotiations."

He stressed that the incentives package offered to Tehran last year remained on the table and said the UN would suspend the sanctions if Iran suspends enrichment activities.

"We are maintaining this offer of a double suspension," said Steinmeier, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency.

The sanctions, approved unanimously by the Security Council in New York, include the banning of Iranian arms exports and freezing the assets of 28 people and organizations involved in Iran's nuclear and missile programs.
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