Brussels, 27/04/2007 (Agence Europe) - After their meeting in Ankara, Turkey, on Thursday, EU High Representative Javier Solana and Iranian chief negotiator Ali Larijani agreed to pursue their efforts to find a way out of the deadlock over the Iranian nuclear dossier. Larijani even said on Thursday that the talks between the EU and Iran had progressed to a common viewpoint on how to end the crisis caused by Tehran's refusal to suspend its uranium enrichment despite UN sanctions. Solana said they couldn't work miracles, but had tried to make some progress. Without giving any details of any compromise, the two politicians agreed to meet again in a fortnight.
Diplomatic sources quoted by AFP suggest that Solana had made a proposal to Iran based on a plan recently drawn up by Swiss and Iranian diplomats. The 'Swiss plan' reportedly includes a 30 day moratorium during which Iran would stop extending its nuclear programme while the 'Six' (the United States, China, Russia and the 'EU3' of Germany, France and the UK) would pledge not to issue any new sanctions against Iran. During the 30 days, both sides would prepare a 'double pause' during which Iran would suspend uranium enrichment and the Six would suspend the sanctions already in place. The 'double pause' could also be used to negotiate trade aid for Iran. The plan does not specify whether Iran would be authorised to continue R&D, an option categorically rejected by the United States. (eh)