Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Stoere says Norway is concerned over the fact that Iran is continuing to defy the international community by stepping up its uranium enrichment activities.
- These developments give grounds for concern, and will make finding a political solution to the nuclear dispute even more difficult, Stoere says.
He says there is no reason to believe Iran when it claims it will not produce nuclear arms, since Iran has in the past hidden its programs.
Mr Stoere emphasised that no-one is questioning Iran’s right to peaceful use of nuclear energy, and that Iran has received repeated offers of international assistance in this area. Iran is being asked to suspend the most controversial parts of its nuclear programme, such as the enrichment of uranium.
- It is vital that Iran regains its international credibility. This can only happen if Iran suspends its uranium enrichment programmes, said Mr Stoere.
Mr Stoere points out that Iran has not thus far shown the requisite openness towards and willingness to cooperate with the international community.
- Iran has primary responsibility for the doubts that exist about its nuclear programme. It is a non-negotiable requirement that the International Atomic Energy Agency be given full access to all aspects of Iran’s nuclear activities, he emphasised.
- Norway supports the international demands made of Iran by a unanimous UN Security Council. Iran must now show real willingness to contribute to a negotiated solution, The Norwegian Foreign Minister underlines.
(NRK/Press release)
Rolleiv Solholm
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