European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana described a newly reached nuclear agreement with Iran as a promising opening rather than a final resolution, saying the parties must now move quickly toward a durable long-term arrangement.
Late Sunday, Iran reached an agreement with Britain, France, and Germany, the EU's three largest members, to halt uranium enrichment-related activities. The move was intended to dispel international concerns that Iran's fuel cycle program could be redirected toward the development of nuclear weapons.
The UN's International Atomic Energy Agency is expected to verify that Iran is fully honoring the voluntary suspension. Solana indicated that once compliance is confirmed, negotiations on a Trade and Cooperation Agreement between Iran and the EU should resume.
Solana said any eventual long-term accord should provide lasting assurance that Iran's nuclear program is purely civilian in nature, while also delivering tangible benefits in trade, technology, security, and nuclear cooperation. He acknowledged the road ahead would be difficult but called the agreement an important first step.
The deal was also seen as heading off the immediate risk of Iran being referred to the UN Security Council, where it could have faced sanctions later in November 2004.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this AFP wire report, first published in November 2004, in its own words.