Visiting French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin on Monday in Helsinki urged Iran not to use uranium for military purpose and an early date for a solution over its nuclear program.

Villepin, who arrived here Sunday for a two-day working visit, made the appeal to Tehran at a press conference after talks with his Finnish counterpart Matti Vanhanen.

On Thursday, foreign ministers of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China -- plus Germany agreed upon a European offer of incentives if Iran halts uranium enrichment and punishments if Tehran does not comply to solve the current standoff over its nuclear program.

Javier Solana, foreign policy chief of the European Union (EU), arrived in Tehran late Monday to present Europe's new proposal to resolve the issue.

On the hindered EU constitution, Villepin said there would be no change in his country until the presidential election to be held next spring.

The proposed EU constitution was rejected last year by France and the Netherlands. Under EU rules, all 25 member states must ratify the constitution before it comes into force.

Finland is to take over the rotating EU presidency in the second half of the year. Villepin said he hoped the EU would be able to make progress on energy, social affairs and employment during Finland's upcoming six-month presidency of the bloc.

Source: Xinhua