Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., April 28, 2009 Iyyar 4, 5769 | | Israel Time: 03:43 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Focus U.S.A. Travel Week's End Anglo File TLV 100
Last update - 17:13 27/04/2009
EU hails Obama's new openness toward Iran
By The Associated Press
Tags: Israel news, U.S., EU, Iran

President Barack Obama's new openness toward Iran is a chance for Tehran to reconnect with the international community and find a negotiated settlement to the nuclear issue, the European Union said Monday.

"The EU warmly supports the new direction of U.S. policy toward Iran, which opens a window of opportunity for negotiations on all aspects of Iran's nuclear program," the EU foreign ministers said in a statement issued during their monthly meeting.

They said Tehran's response to Washington also will set the tone for Iran's relations with Europe, which have soured over concern about Iran's nuclear enrichment program.
Advertisement
The EU statement comes a day after Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, whose country currently holds the rotating presidency of the Union, told Haaretz that the European Union "underestimates the Iranian threat."
  • EU president: Europe blind to scale of Iran threat

    The U.S. and its allies suspect Iran is developing nuclear arms under the
    guise of the civilian atomic energy program. Iran denies that, but last week it inaugurated a plant producing uranium fuel pellets for a planned
    heavy-water nuclear reactor, the final step in the sophisticated nuclear fuel cycle.

    Since taking office in January, Obama has made overtures to Iran's leaders, saying he ready for a dialogue. Recently, he released a video message to the people of Iran.

    Iran has been mostly lukewarm to Obama's overtures. The U.S., major European countries and China have invited Iran to another round of nuclear talks. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said his
    country is preparing a new package of proposals aimed at resolving the dispute - but Tehran insists that it won't halt its uranium enrichment activities.

    On Monday, the EU urged Iran to respond positively to Obama to find a negotiated solution to the nuclear issue. The evolution of our relations with Iran will also depend on it.

    Under former President George W. Bush, the United States said talks could only occur if Iran first suspended the uranium enrichment. Under Obama, that condition fell away, with U.S. officials saying they may be willing to allow Iran to continue enrichment for a period of time while negotiations are under way. Still, a suspension of Iran's activity remains the ultimate goal.

    The EU foreign ministers welcomed Washington's change of heart, opening the way for more nuclear talks.

    They said, The EU calls upon Iran to seize this opportunity to engage seriously with the international community ... to find a negotiated solution to the nuclear issue which will address Iran's interests, including the development of a civil nuclear power generation program.


    Related articles:
  • Czech PM: We'll fight EU calls to freeze Israel ties
  • EU warns Netanyahu over stalled peace process
  • Next EU presidency keen to boost Israel ties, despite some member doubts ]



    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Memorial Day 2009
    Israel honors its fallen soldiers and victims of terror attacks.
    Making swine flu kosher
    Mexico Flu - a symptom of the disease of Israeli politics.
      1.   Thank you President Obama. You`re not an arrogant ass. 17:36  |  Lou Medel 27/04/09
      2.   EU clowns will negotiate with Iran clowns forever 17:59  |  Elly 27/04/09
      3.   Obama and Iran 18:02  |  Scott L. Havsy 27/04/09
      4.   EU hails obama 19:10  |  roger 27/04/09
      5.   Not Obama but the Bilderberger tell him what to do! 19:26  |  Dav 27/04/09
      6.   New friends in the making. The EU and USA have 19:40  |  Kris Lazar 27/04/09
      7.   Lou Medel cuts thru the haze and sets `em straight... 01:42  |  BBSNews 28/04/09
     Haaretz Hot Topics
    Durban II conference
    Air strike in Sudan
    Israel 2009 election results: Voter breakdown
    Israel vs. Hamas
    Iran: Nuclear and regional ambitions
    More Headlines
    02:06 Israel honors fallen IDF soldiers, terror victims
    00:11 'Every step that strengthens Hamas only distances peace'
    02:40 Barak: Israel can and must make peace within three years
    00:28 Israel: PA recognition of Jewish state 'crucial' for reconciliation
    22:24 After Lieberman remarks, Assad repeats Syria demand for Golan
    03:07 U.S. envoy to visit Gulf over Iran's nuclear program
    02:50 'I thought I could be kidnapped, then I thought of my daughter'
    19:48 Making swine flu kosher: A symptom of the disease of Israeli politics
    21:43 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel
    22:19 Meshal reelected Hamas political leader for 4 more years
    22:28 Could the Taliban get the bomb before Iran does?
    21:52 Workmen in Poland find letter written by Auschwitz inmates
    22:59 Border Policeman gets 8 years for killing Palestinian in 2002
    14:35 'Israel must call new disease Mexico Flu, as swine unkosher'
    00:29 Second suspected case of swine flu reported in Israel
    22:07 Security guards shoot Palestinian at West Bank checkpoint
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Spring Specials-Dan Hotels
    Jerusalem from 179$. Tel-Aviv from 223$. Herzliya from 336$
    The Meier on Rothschild Tower
    Masterpiece Residence in the Heart of Tel Aviv
    Dead Sea Skin Care
    Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off!
    Camp Kimama Israel 2009
    The best place for your children this summer
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | | Israel 2009 election results
    Site rules | Makom: Engaging on Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved