Paris welcomes new U.S. move on Iran's nuclear issue

French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy welcomed Wednesday Washington's latest decision to conditionally discuss with Teheran on Iran's nuclear program.

"I welcome the availability of the United States, and possibly of other partners, to join the negotiations launched by Germany, Britain and France with Iran," he said in a statement.

"This reinforces the credibility of the European process and the proposals presented by the Europeans to Iran with the support of the international community," he added.

The proposals, drafted by a European Union troika to persuade Iran to renounce its sensitive nuclear activities, are to be discussed at a meeting of major powers Thursday in Vienna, grouping foreign ministers of the European troika, China, Russia and the United States.

The meeting will be the opportunity to find an agreement to offer Iran a way to allow the resumption of negotiation, the French minister said.

He hoped that Iranian authorities would take the necessary time to examine these proposals and act in a constructive spirit.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Wednesday that the United States will join the European Union in talks with Iran as soon as Iran suspends uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities.

Source: Xinhua