The European Union will not resume trade talks with Iran because of worries over the country's nuclear programme, EU officials said today.
Iran wants negotiations on a trade and cooperation agreement with the bloc to resume after they were put on hold last year because of doubts about its nuclear programme. The deal would give Iranian goods preferential access to European markets.
Islamic conservatives secured a big victory in parliamentary elections last month after some 2,500 reformist candidates were barred from standing by the non-elected Guardian Council in a poll promptly denounced as flawed by the EU.
The EU has been pursuing a policy of constructive engagement towards Iran as it presses for greater openness over the country's nuclear programme, unlike the United States which is trying to isolate Tehran.
Washington accuses Iran of using its nuclear power programme as a front to build a bomb. Iran denies it, saying the nuclear programme is solely for electricity generation.
EU foreign ministers expressed "serious concern that a number of questions in relation to Iran's nuclear programme remain outstanding," in conclusions after their meeting.
They welcomed a decision by Iran in February to extend suspension of uranium enrichment-related and processing activities, but the Council of EU foreign ministers wanted more.
"It calls on Iran to start, in accordance with this decision, immediately, comprehensively and verifiably with the full suspension of all such activities; and...to refrain from all fuel cycle activities which can be used to produce fissile materials for nuclear weapons," they said.
An EU official said Iran was being more open on its nuclear programme, but had still not gone far enough.