Ministers to discuss Iran crisis

EU foreign ministers will tomorrow (30 March) begin an informal two-day meeting in Bremen, Germany, with discussions expected to focus on tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme, which have been exacerbated by the country’s detention of 15 UK naval personnel captured in the Persian Gulf.

Ministers will discuss the outcome of telephone contacts on 26 March between EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and Ali Larijani, Iran’s chief negotiator, on 26 March.

EU officials said that the contacts were part of an effort to restart negotiations with Iran following the unanimous adoption of a United Nations Security Council resolution imposing sanctions on Iranian banks and the revolutionary guard corps.

The EU is keen to pursue what diplomats are calling a "carrot and stick" approach in persuading Iran to accept intrusive inspections of its nuclear facilities.

"Sanctions are not going to bring the Iranian economy to its knees," said one senior EU official, explaining why new talks were needed.

Iran continues to reject EU and US demands to suspend uranium enrichment temporarily while talks are carried out.

There is nervousness in the EU that sanctions will not make Iran change its mind and will only deepen the crisis.

"We don’t want to find ourselves creating an oil-for-food type programme," said the official referring to sanctions on Iraq, which limited the country’s oil exports but did little to influence Saddam Hussein’s power inside the country.

Ministers will also discuss the EU’s future role in Kosovo and the development of the EU’s neighbourhood policy.

EU foreign ministers will tomorrow (30 March) begin an informal two-day meeting in Bremen, Germany, with discussions expected to focus on tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme, which have been exacerbated by the country’s detention of 15 UK naval personnel captured in the Persian Gulf.