Chinese government on Monday reiterated its support for Iran’s right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes within the framework of talks on Iran’s nuclear program between Tehran and the 5 +1 Group – comprising the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany.
“Iran is part of The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and has the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes,” said the spokesman of Chinese Foreign Ministry, Hong Lei.
The NPT aims to prevent proliferation of nuclear weapons, countries that already have nuclear power have to provide help to countries that do not have it if they choose to use this energy for peaceful purposes.
“China believes that dialogue and cooperation are the only effective means to resolve the conflict over Iran’s nuclear program,” the spokesman added.
On Monday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says his country will give up enriching uranium if the European countries will “provide” the nuclear fuel it needs. “From the beginning, the Islamic Republic has made clear that if European countries provide Iran with enriched fuel, Iran will not have to enrich the nuclear material to that level,” said Ahmadinejad, quoted on the website of the Presidency.
In return, the 5 +1 group has considered offering Iran “fuel for experimental research reactor” in Tehran and to offer “support for civil nuclear cooperation,” including “to acquire a modern research reactor, nuclear safety and nuclear fusion research “or to” provide medical isotopes, “according to European sources.
The Group 5 +1 also offer cooperation to Tehran in areas of interest such as fight against drug trafficking and piracy.