China encourages enhanced co-op between IAEA, Iran

BEIJING - China encourages the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Iran to improve dialogue and cooperation, so as to accommodate international concerns over Iran's nuclear program, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Monday.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin made the remarks at a press conference in Beijing when asked to comment on the IAEA's latest report on the Iranian nuclear issue.

The report, issued on Friday, said IAEA's inspectors have detected traces of up to 27 percent-purity enriched uranium in Iran's Fordow nuclear fuel enrichment plant, and satellite images showed "extensive activities" at Parchin military site southeast of Tehran.

China is studying the IAEA' report, said Liu.

China has welcomed the recent active interactions between the IAEA and Iran, he said, adding that China encourages the two sides to improve dialogue and cooperation to promote the peaceful resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said Sunday that if the Western governments acknowledge the civilian nature of Iran's nuclear program and request for the halting of the 20-percent enrichment, Iran will consider their request.

However, Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Fereidoon Abbasi said Sunday that there were currently no reasons for his country to halt production of uranium enriched to 20 percent.

In response to the inconsistent statements by Iran's official, Liu said China hopes that all related parties could show more flexibility and accommodate each other's concern, and seek a proper resolution through dialogues, so as to restore the international confidence in the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programs.

During Iran's talks with the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China plus Germany, known as P5+1, which took place in Baghdad on May 23-24, parties concerned have conducted serious discussions on Tehran's nuclear program, as differences and common ground both exist, said Liu.

The six world powers tabled a package of incentives to Iran in a bid to settle the disputes over its nuclear program, while Iran also announced its readiness for further discussions of the problem of 20-percent enrichment of uranium, according to Liu.

The next round of talks between Iran and the six world powers is scheduled to be held in Moscow from June 18-19.