China urges Iran to respond to nuclear package soon

China Thursday urged Iran to respond to a package of incentives to stop enriching uranium as soon as possible, as the six nations agreed to return Iran's nuclear issue to the UN Security Council.

"China hopes Iran will take constructive attitudes and make positive response as soon as possible," said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu.

"Solving Iran nuclear issue through diplomatic negotiations complies with the interests of the international community," said Jiang, calling on parties related to make more diplomatic efforts in the nuclear disputes and create conditions for earlier resumption of talks.

On June 6, European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana presented Tehran with a package on Iran's nuclear issue, backed by the five permanent UN Security Council members -- China, France, Great Britain, Russia and the United States -- plus Germany.

The proposal includes both incentives and penalties aimed at persuading Iran to suspend uranium enrichment.

Jiang said the package "demonstrates the important efforts made by the parties concerned in a bid to restart negotiations on Iran nuclear issue."

Iran refused again on Tuesday to commit itself to the suspension of uranium enrichment. Iran said it would respond to the package by Aug. 22.

The foreign ministers from the six countries met on Wednesday in Paris and agreed to return Iran nuclear issue to the UN Security Council.

"We have no choice but to return to the UN Security Council and take forward the process that was suspended two months ago," French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said.

"We have agreed to seek a UN Security Council resolution, which would make the IAEA-required suspension mandatory," Douste-Blazy said.

Source: Xinhua