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Q: Is it true, as the New York Times claims, that the Europeans and Americans are considering dispensing with preconditions in their discussions regarding the suspension of Iranian nuclear activity?

A: The Security Council resolutions demand the suspension of Iran's sensitive nuclear activities. With regard to opening negotiations, the Six have always reiterated that dialogue should not be confused with real negotiations. We are open to dialogue with Iran in order to find paths towards a negotiated settlement. We welcomed President Obama's historic decision to have direct contact with the Iranian authorities. It is now up to them to grasp this opportunity.

In 2007, as you are aware, the group of Six made the following proposal to the Iranians: that they prepare for the suspension of sensitive activities and the simultaneous opening of negotiations by a short period of discussions during which the Iranians would no longer develop their sensitive nuclear activities and the Six would no longer seek to adopt new sanctions through the Security Council (the so-called "freeze-for-freeze" principle). This proposal was put forth by the group of Six, and hence the Americans as well. However, Iran did not respond to the proposal.

In 2008, when Mr. Solana made another offer of cooperation to the Iranians, the Six again made this proposal to prepare for the opening of negotiations and the suspension of sensitive activities.

These proposals remain on the table, as confirmed by the political directors of the Six who met in London on April 8.

At the same time, the Americans said that they were now ready to talk directly with the Iranians. This is a historic opening of relations by the United States. Among the Six, the Americans were in fact the only ones not to have direct contact with the Iranians until now. The Six were thus able to announce that Mr. Solana would propose a joint meeting with the Iranians involving each of the parties.

This context provides an opportunity to convince the Iranians to implement the Security Council resolutions and to come to a negotiated solution that will be satisfactory to everyone.