Brussels, 17/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - Autonomous EU sanctions against Iran - in addition to those already decided on by the UN Security Council in Resolution 1929 - will focus on the energy sector (a ban on European companies investing or providing technical assistance, technology or equipment to the Iranian oil and gas industry), trade (restrictions on the sale of dual use goods), the financial sector (restrictions on banking and insurance operations, the freezing of Iranian banking assets in Europe), the transport sector (particularly against the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line and the transport of goods by air), as well as additional restrictions (the freezing of assets and a ban on visas) hitting members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Details about the measures for implementing sanctions (both those decided by the UN and additional autonomous measures by the EU) will be adopted by the next Foreign Affairs Council in July. EU heads of state and government made this decision on Thursday 17 June, at the European Council in Brussels. In a declaration annexed to the summit conclusions, leaders underlined that sanctions should not mean an end to dialogue and that the EU is still ready to work towards a “diplomatic solution” to the problem posed by the Iranian nuclear programme. They are calling on Tehran to respond positively to invitations to resume negotiations. In a declaration, the EU 27 affirm that “what is needed is a serious negotiation about Iran's nuclear programme and other issues of mutual concern”. Heads of state and government openly welcomed recent efforts made by Brazil and Turkey (the two countries that had negotiated with Iran a draft agreement focusing on the exchange of low-grade uranium in exchange for new cheaper fuel for the Tehran Research Reactor). Nonetheless, the EU27 insist that this agreement does not change anything with regard to the real fundamental problem, which is still the Iranian nuclear programme. (H.B./transl.fl)