Brussels, 08/05/2007 (Agence Europe) - Addressing national parliamentarians at the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee on Monday afternoon, the EU High Representative for CFSP examined the different operations currently being carried out by the European Union. Javier Solana also looked at the most recent developments in the Middle East, Darfur, Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia. He pointed out that the EU was still awaiting the Security Council's resolution on the final status for Kosovo in order to complete planning of its police and rule of law operation in this Serbian province, which is likely to become independent under international supervision. Alluding to a telephone conversation he had had during the day with Afghan president Karzai, the High Representative provided parliamentarians with a presentation of the training and advisory police operation expected to be approved by the Council of Ministers on 14 May. Its launch on 15 June will see 160 European police officers being deployed in Kabul and in a dozen of the provincial reconstruction teams throughout Afghanistan.
In reply to questions, Javier Solana underscored the “difficult” nature of discussions with Iran on the nuclear dossier. “We'd like to make progress but it's easier said than done”, remarked Solana, who was, however, pleased with the resumption of the dialogue at the meeting he had had on 2 May in Ankara with the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Ali Larijani. Solana explained that, “We have agreed to go back to our respective capitals… keep the dialogue open and meet up later”. He added that, “What we are asking Iran to do is to suspend nuclear activities during the period of negotiations” and that in exchange the Union would suspend its sanctions. (aby)