Iran – Communiqué issued by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs
Paris, 6 August 2008
France expresses her disappointment at the absence of a clear response from Iran to the Six’s proposal of a “freeze for freeze” in order to launch negotiations. The document handed to Mr Javier Solana on 5 August does not provide this response, expected within a fortnight of the meeting of 19 July in Geneva.
France continues to hope that the Iranian authorities will provide the awaited response soon and not opt for isolation. She intends pursuing her efforts towards dialogue and will neglect no opportunity of negotiating with Iran, as evidenced by the Six’s recent efforts in this respect, even though the three-month period the Security Council gave Iran on 3 March this year has expired and Iran has still not complied with the relevant resolution.
France reaffirms her commitment to the dual approach followed by the E3+3, combining openness to dialogue and firmness. The path of dialogue remains open, but in the absence of a clear response, Iran is choosing to expose herself to new sanctions./.