Federal Minister Steinmeier criticizes expansion of Iran's nuclear program

GERMAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

April 9, 2008

In response to the Iranian President's announcement yesterday that further centrifuges were to be installed at the country's uranium enrichment facility in Natanz, Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier today (9 April) issued the following statement in Berlin:

"I view the Iranian President's announcement with grave concern. It signifies a clear rejection by Tehran of the demands made by the United Nations Security Council. To take any such step would make resolving the conflict even more difficult.

I appeal to the Iranian leadership to take the concerns of the international community seriously and at long last suspend enrichment. Only a cooperative approach can restore lost confidence and pave the way for negotiations."