Minister Tuomioja in the European Parliament: EU warns Iran
Press Release 235/2006
12.7.2006
Minister for Foreign Affairs Erkki Tuomioja presented the foreign policy priorities of Finland's EU Presidency to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament in Brussels on 12 July. Minister Tuomioja brought up both current international issues and thematic questions considering EU's external relations
When talking about the topical issues, Tuomioja focused on the Middle East and Iran. "The events in the Middle East have dominated the first weeks of the Finnish Presidency", Tuomioja told. "The EU's position is clear: The abducted Israeli soldier must be unconditionally released, firing of rockets on Israeli territory must stop and Israel must stop the use of force that amounts to collective punishment of the whole population of the Gaza strip. Furthermore, Israel must facilitate and ensure the transfer of assistance for humanitarian needs in Gaza. I also further stress the urgent need to release the arrested Palestinian legislators and ministers", Tuomioja specified.
EU joins the United States in warning Iran it faced UN Security Council action if it did not cooperate in efforts to end its nuclear programme. "If Iran is not ready for cooperation, then the process will have to continue at the UN Security Council", Tuomioja confirmed on Wednesday, a day after the talks between the EU and Iran ended without progress.
Among other key priorities in the EU's external action Tuomioja listed the improvement of Union's external action, Russia and the Northen Dimension, the Western Balkans, Africa, transatlantic relations and the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). Enlargement will also be prominently addressed during the Finnish presidency.
Additional information: press attaché Susanna Parkkonen, tel. +358 9 160 55012