EU seeks ways to stop Iran's N programme
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
LUXEMBOURG, June 14 (AFP): EU foreign ministers examined Monday how they can go further than new UN sanctions in putting pressure on Iran to stop its nuclear programme, while holding a hand out for talks.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague, attending his first meeting with his European counterparts, said the EU must give a 'strong lead' on the issues by "taking accompanying and additional measures."
Last Wednesday the United Nations Security Council slapped its fourth set of sanctions on Iran over suspicions that it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
Tehran insists that its nuclear programme is purely for civil energy uses.
The new UN measures authorise states to conduct high-seas inspections of vessels believed to be ferrying banned items to Iran and add 40 entities to a list of people and groups subject to travel restrictions and financial sanctions.
A draft EU text, seen by AFP but yet to be approved by the ministers, covers in particular "key sectors of the oil and gas industry with prohibition of new investment, transfers of technologies, equipment and services."
Iran has the world's second-largest reserves of natural gas and is OPEC's second largest oil exporter.
Global energy majors have come under increased international pressure over their activities in the country.
Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini confirmed that "Europe may reinforce the (UN) sanctions especially on technology regarding the extraction of oil and gas."
British Foreign Secretary William Hague, attending his first meeting with his European counterparts, said the EU must give a 'strong lead' on the issues by "taking accompanying and additional measures."
Last Wednesday the United Nations Security Council slapped its fourth set of sanctions on Iran over suspicions that it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
Tehran insists that its nuclear programme is purely for civil energy uses.
The new UN measures authorise states to conduct high-seas inspections of vessels believed to be ferrying banned items to Iran and add 40 entities to a list of people and groups subject to travel restrictions and financial sanctions.
A draft EU text, seen by AFP but yet to be approved by the ministers, covers in particular "key sectors of the oil and gas industry with prohibition of new investment, transfers of technologies, equipment and services."
Iran has the world's second-largest reserves of natural gas and is OPEC's second largest oil exporter.
Global energy majors have come under increased international pressure over their activities in the country.
Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini confirmed that "Europe may reinforce the (UN) sanctions especially on technology regarding the extraction of oil and gas."