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PARIS, Aug. 23 (Xinhuanet) -- French Foreign Ministry
said Tuesdaythat the European troika (France, Britain and Germany) had canceled
the meeting scheduled for Aug. 31 with Iran because of Iran's decision to resume
nuclear work.
According to the spokesman of French Foreign Ministry, Jean-Baptiste Mattei, Iran broke the terms of an agreement
signed with the three European countries in Paris in November 2004 under
which Teheran promised to suspend the work pending the finalization of
along-term agreement.
Teheran rejected the European proposals offering Iran
nuclear technology, including access to nuclear fuel, increased trade and help
with Tehran's regional security concerns, saying they are conditional on Iran's
ceasing uranium enrichment, which can lead to the production of weapons-grade
material.
The French spokesman said they had jointly decided to
abandon the planned meeting at the end of August because of the breach of the
Paris agreement. "This does not mean that there will not be any contacts with
the Iranians," he added.
French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said on
Aug. 12 that France was waiting for a report by the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA) on Sept. 3 before deciding how to proceed. Enditem
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