The new six-nation package contains economic and political incentives, including talks with the United States, to encourage Tehran to abandon uranium enrichment, and also the implicit threat of UN sanctions if Iran doesn't comply.

    Upon his arrival at the airport, Larijani told reporters that the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany want to start a fresh relationship with Iran on the basis of mutual respect and mutual trust.

    "The new proposal could let us be engaged in negotiations based on trust, confidence and respect," said Solana.

    Details of the proposals have not been made public, but the package may include that the west would help Iran build nuclear reactors, give a guaranteed supply of nuclear fuel, and offer the country European Airbus aircraft, if Tehran suspends nuclear program first, according to an early draft.

    But Iran has repeatedly claimed that it would never halt the uranium enrichment activities.

    A few hours before Solana's arrival, Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said at the airport that his country would examine the new proposal carried by the EU foreign policy chief and then give a formal response to the six world powers.

    "If they can consider Iran's legal nuclear demands and don't politicize the issue, I think we could have an reasonable agreement with them," said Mottaki.

    Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also reasserted on the weekend during a telephone conversation with United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan that Iran is ready to hold talks on the nuclear program, adding that Iran prefers the negotiations to be held democratically without any precondition or any threat.

    The United States and European countries claim that Iran is using its civilian nuclear program as a cover to produce nuclear weapons.

    Tehran has repeatedly denied the charge, saying its nuclear program is merely to generate electricity, not bombs.

    Iran repeatedly says that it will not give up its right under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to enriching uranium and producing nuclear fuel for power plant. Enditem