Brussels, 24/09/2009 (Agence Europe) - Given Iran's increasing activities involving the enrichment of nuclear energy, the European Commission presented the Council of Ministers of the EU on Tuesday 22 September, with a draft regulation to adapt the restrictive measures currently in force [(EC) No. 423/2007] against Tehran.
The 2007 regulation restricts, in particular, the supply, sale or transfer to Iran of certain items, materials, equipment, goods and technology, in addition to those determined by the Security Council or the Sanctions Committee, that could contribute to Iran's enrichment-related, reprocessing or heavy water-related activities, to the development of nuclear weapon delivery systems or to the pursuit of activities related to other topics about which the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expressed concerns or identified as outstanding. These items are listed in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No. 423/2007. In consideration of Iran's increasing enrichment activities, the list of controlled items in Annex II needs to be revised “in order to maintain its effectiveness.” The 2007 regulation prohibits the export of certain goods and technology listed in Annex I A; the Commission also considers that certain references in this annex should be revised. It calls for the amendment of an article in view of amending Annexes IA and II on the basis of information supplied by either the UN Security Council or the Sanctions Committee or member states. (O.L./transl.rh)