STATEMENT BY FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER,
GERMAN FEDERAL FOREIGN MINISTER,
ON THE ADOPTION OF U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 1747
GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTRY
March 24, 2007
Today (24 March), the Security Council of the United Nations adopted Resolution No 1747 on Iran's nuclear programme. Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier issued the following statement in Berlin:
"I welcome today's UN Security Council decision on Iran's nuclear programme. This Resolution is a proportionate and necessary response to Iran's continued failure to comply with the demands of the international community. The Resolution is an expression of our undiminished concern about Iran's nuclear programme. The fact that the Resolution was adopted unanimously after constructive negotiations is also an important signal that the international community stands together on this issue.
I urge Iran to adhere to the Security Council Resolutions and thus clear the way for negotiations.
Germany, along with its partners, will continue doing its utmost to seek a negotiated solution to the nuclear programme issue. Consequently, when Resolution 1747 was adopted, we once again stressed that our goal is to reach a comprehensive agreement with Iran which, on the basis of mutual respect, will re-establish international trust as to the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme and clear the way for our relations to develop further.
The far-reaching proposals put to Iran by the E3+3 group on 6 June are still valid. These proposals include cooperation to develop a civil nuclear power programme, legally guaranteed supplies of nuclear fuel and provide a basis for wider political, security and economic cooperation. All these proposals remain on the table. The E3+3 are still ready to negotiate, provided Iran suspends its critical nuclear activities. If Iran does so, the UN Security Council has made it clear that it will suspend its measures against Iran. This offer of a double suspension still stands.
I appeal to Iran to accept this offer, which takes into account Iran's legitimate interests. I am convinced that a solution to the row surrounding Iran's nuclear programme can pave the way for far-reaching improvements in relations with Iran in other areas."