Wen calls for more efforts to solve Iran's nuke issue

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-09-10 09:04

HELSINKI, Finland - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao urged in Finland on Saturday the international community to continue diplomatic efforts to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue.

Answering questions at a press conference after the China-EU (European Union) summit which was held here on Saturday, Wen said the Iranian nuclear issue entered into a crucial stage, and more concerted diplomatic efforts should be made by the international community.

Wen said sanctions or pressure would not be helpful to resolving this issue, adding that the international community and various parties should be cautious on imposing sanctions against Iran.

China adheres to the principle of non-proliferation and it opposes to proliferation of nuclear weapons, said the Chinese premier.

China hopes that Iran would not develop nuclear weapons, said Wen, adding that China also hopes that the Middle East situation would not be deteriorated.

The premier expressed his appreciation for the EU's diplomatic efforts on resolving the issue, noting that EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana was in Vienna for talks on the issue.

In the meantime, Wen also urged Iran to respond to the concerns of the international community and take constructive measures, so as to facilitate the resolving of the issue.

As for China, Wen said it will join hands with the international community, especially with other parties within the six-state mechanism, to explore a peaceful solution to the issue.

On Saturday, Solana held talks with Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani in Vienna, Austria, aiming to crack the deadlock of the Iran nuclear issue.