Spain and Italy say they prefer diplomacy to solve Iran's nuclear issue, although Britain supports France's policy of more European Union sanctions.
Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema told Italian lawmakers that he supports negotiations with Tehran on its nuclear standoff."While exerting stronger pressure (on Tehran), we should offer a political solution."
The Italian FM said the West should offer more incentives to Tehran if it seeks to solve the issue.
"Italy has never ruled out possible European sanctions, but we should also remember that we would have a bigger price to pay than those who shout the loudest," he said.
Iran-Italy trade stood at $US 2.7 Billion in 2001 and 3.852 Billion Euros in 2003. In 2005, Italy was the third largest trading partner of Iran with 7.5% of all exports to Iran. Italy was the top trading partner of Iran in the European Union in early 2006.
Spain has also articulated support for continued diplomatic efforts on Iran's nuclear program rather than any European Union sanctions as proposed by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner.
A source at the Spanish foreign ministry has indicated that Spain backs the diplomatic efforts led by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the six members of the UN Security Council .
In a recent letter, Kouchner urged his European Union partners to impose new economic sanctions against Iran in a bid to pressure Tehran to end what he called the country's "nuclear defiance".
Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema told Italian lawmakers that he supports negotiations with Tehran on its nuclear standoff."While exerting stronger pressure (on Tehran), we should offer a political solution."
The Italian FM said the West should offer more incentives to Tehran if it seeks to solve the issue.
"Italy has never ruled out possible European sanctions, but we should also remember that we would have a bigger price to pay than those who shout the loudest," he said.
Iran-Italy trade stood at $US 2.7 Billion in 2001 and 3.852 Billion Euros in 2003. In 2005, Italy was the third largest trading partner of Iran with 7.5% of all exports to Iran. Italy was the top trading partner of Iran in the European Union in early 2006.
Spain has also articulated support for continued diplomatic efforts on Iran's nuclear program rather than any European Union sanctions as proposed by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner.
A source at the Spanish foreign ministry has indicated that Spain backs the diplomatic efforts led by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the six members of the UN Security Council .
In a recent letter, Kouchner urged his European Union partners to impose new economic sanctions against Iran in a bid to pressure Tehran to end what he called the country's "nuclear defiance".
Via: PressTV
