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Riyadh: The European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy warned that the European Union would be forced to take measures against Iran if it pursues nuclear programmes in defiance of UN resolutions and international opinion.
Addressing a press conference at the end of a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday evening, Benita Ferrero-Waldner declined to disclose details of any new measures.
"We had a programme for cooperation with Iran, which is on hold due to its nuclear programme. We would like to go ahead trading and cooperating with Iran, provided Iran stops its uranium enrichment programme."
Asked by Gulf News about the EU's position on the Arab initiative to end the row with Iran and solve the political crisis in Lebanon, Ferrero-Waldner said: "We support the Arab League's initiative to find a peaceful resolution of the issues. The EU is interested in restoring a national unity government in Lebanon."
Cooperation
The commissioner reaffirmed the EU's desire to bolster its bilateral cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. "The GCC is the world's largest energy producer, while the EU is the world's largest energy consumer. We're facing a new challenge in developing our security and energy partnership," she said.
Ferrero-Waldner said her talks with GCC Secretary General Abdul Rahman Al Attiyah focused mainly on signing an EU-GCC free trade agreement, saying "now is the time for signing the deal".
She said the EU could assist those countries which want to develop nuclear energy for civilian use.
"We are also keen on developing renewable solar energy, which could be much cheaper," she said.
The European Commissioner said she held talks with senior Saudi officials, including Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal and Minister of Petroleum Ali Al Naimi on a number of issues, including economy, trade, foreign policy, energy, education, environment and research.
"The Saudis asserted that they will increase their oil production and that they are willing to work for stable and reasonable oil prices," she said.
Ferrero-Waldner also said the EU has no plan to propose or enact any new law to put an end to cartoons or documentaries considered blasphemous Muslims.
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