Brussels, 15/12/2006 (Agence Europe) - In a declaration, the European Council “expresses its concern about the negative impact of Iranian policies on stability and security in the Middle East”. Recalling its commitment in favour of a negotiated solution to the Iranian nuclear issue, it deplores Tehran's refusal to take the steps required by the IAEA Board of Governors and the UN Security Council, and regrets that Iran has not engaged “seriously” with the far-reaching proposals of EU foreign policy chief, Javier Solana. In this context, it supports work conducted within the UN Security Council to adopt sanctions against Tehran, under Article 41 of Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. The European Council also expresses deep concern at the Iranian government's recent statements concerning the EU and individual Member States, as well as threats towards Israel, and the continuing deterioration of human rights and political freedoms of its citizens. The EU “condemns any denial of the Holocaust as a historical fact, either in whole or in part, and therefore firmly rejects the underlying premise and the objectives of the conference on the Holocaust organised by the Iranian authorities”; says the European Council indicating that the EU would continue to monitor these issues and “calibrate its approach in the light of Iran's actions”. During the press conference on Thursday 14 December, Mr Solani spoke about the statement on Israel's nuclear situation, made at the start of the week by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. “The position of the European Union is clear: we do not want a Middle East with weapons of mass destruction,” he insisted. (dt)