EU PRESIDENCY STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO THE COMMENTS OF PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD REGARDING ISRAEL

GERMANY ON BEHALF OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

June 5, 2007

The Presidency of the European Union condemns in the strongest possible terms the latest anti-Israeli remarks made by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Iran has thus once again alienated itself from the international stage and given the world community further cause for mistrust.

The Presidency of the European Union calls on Iran to distance itself clearly from all threats made towards Israel, to unconditionally acknowledge Israel's right to exist and to act responsibly in the region.