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WORLD> Europe
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EU denies agreement on new sanctions against Iran
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-17 06:35 LUXEMBOURG -- European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Javier Solana on Monday denied that EU foreign ministers have agreed on new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program.
"No decision has been taken today. That is the answer to your question: no decision has been taken today," said Solana when asked to clarify whether the ministers have come up with a decision on Iran. He emphasized the EU's "double track" strategy to Iran -- offer to open negotiations on the one hand and UN sanctions on the other. Solana, who had just returned from Tehran where he handed over a new package proposal from Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States, said the double track approach is well in play. "We hope to have a response to the offer very soon. But at the same time the other track continues to move: the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions continues." Solana debriefed the foreign ministers on Monday. The West claims that Iran intends to produce nuclear weapons while Tehran has said its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. The UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, has been unable to determine whether Iran's nuclear program is peaceful or not, prompting several UN Security Council resolutions containing sanctions on Iran.
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