Q - What is France's response to Iran's announcement that it is to resume its nuclear work? Are the E3 still going to submit an offer to Teheran this week or are you going to suspend the negotiations?

Q - There are contradictory announcements from Teheran about the ultimatum. What is France's reaction and when will the EU proposals be presented to Iran?

We are surprised and concerned by these unilateral announcements of a resumption by Iran of sensitive activities concerning the conversion of uranium, which were suspended--with the other activities linked to the production of fissile materials--under the Paris agreement between the Europeans and Iran in November 2004. The agreement was approved by the IAEA board of governors. In addition to compliance with the agreement, there is no economic or technical justification for the resumption of such sensitive activities.

For our part, we are complying strictly with our commitments in the Paris agreement and the meeting between the E3 and Iran in Geneva on May 25. We had announced at that time that towards the end of July/early August we would present complete proposals in the political, nuclear and economic fields. The European ministers confirmed last week in a letter to the Iranian authorities that these proposals would be presented before August 7. These proposals are generous and pave the way to new relations between Iran and Europe. In particular they recognize Iran's rights under the NPT, and the possibility of developing a nuclear program that is safe, economically viable and does not proliferate. If Iran lives up to its commitments to suspend activities, we are ready to engage in discussions on this basis and we call on Iran to study it very seriously in all its aspects. It is essential for the continuation of this process that Iran comply strictly with the Paris agreement.