Brussels, 15/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - EU heads of state and government are expected to decide at the European Council on Thursday whether to impose sanctions against Iran (due to its nuclear programme) that go beyond those decided last week by the UN Security Council in its Resolution1929. Foreign affairs ministers meeting on 14 June in Luxembourg had previously attempted, in vain, to reach an agreement on “measures accompanying and supporting the UN Security Council Resolution”. At the Council, the question was raised on whether the new measures should particularly target the energy sector in Iran (restrictions on European deliveries and investments in the gas and oil sector), trade, the banking and insurance sector or maritime and air transport. Some of the large hi-tech exporting countries, such as Germany, have misgivings about targeting the Iranian energy sector. Other member states (Sweden, Spain and Cyprus have been cited in this connection) have doubts about the need to go beyond Resolution 1929. The question is therefore expected to be broached by European leaders on Thursday 17 June. On Monday evening at the end of the General Affairs Council, Catherine Ashton stated: “I expect the heads and state of government on Thursday to look at what has been agreed in the UN SC resolution and to look to what further they wish to do”. The EU high representative was categorical and asserted that “we now need accompanying and supporting measures to the UN resolution”. Even though the high representative is expected to opt for further sanctions, the EU is expected, nonetheless, to remain prepared to continue the dialogue with Tehran in view of finding a negotiated settlement. Ashton informed the press that “our offer for negotiations remains on the table. Sanctions are not the endgame”. She also said that she was prepared to meet the Iranian negotiator as soon as possible, on the condition that he is prepared to talk about the “real subject”, the Iranian nuclear programme. (H.B./transl.fl)