Iran issue 'unites' UK and China

Beijing, 17 March-(ANA)-UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said Britain and China have "a shared goal" in resolving the issue of Iran's nuclear programme.

Mr Miliband, who is in Beijing for talks, said the two countries were "going to work very closely together to achieve it".

His counterpart Yang Jiechi said China had become "more concerned" about Iran.

But he said tougher sanctions, favoured by Western nations, were not "a fundamental solution" to the problem.

Iran insists its enrichment programme is for civilian use, but there are concerns it is trying to develop a nuclear bomb.

The US, France, the UK, Russia, China and Germany, otherwise known as the "P5 +1", are currently discussing the possibility of new economic sanctions.

China has so far opposed the measure - and as a veto-wielding member of the UN Security Council could block it altogether.

Speaking at a news briefing following talks with Mr Yang, Mr Miliband said dealing with Iran's nuclear programme was "a test for all of us".

"We have a shared goal in ensuring that Iran lives by its commitments under the non-proliferation treaty, and we are going to work very closely together to achieve it," he added.

Mr Yang said: "China has become more concerned about the current situation."

He stopped short of dismissing the possibility of more sanctions, but added: "I have said before that sanctions do not provide a fundamental solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. Ultimately, this issue has to be resolved through peaceful negotiations.

"We will continue to make active efforts to bring about a diplomatic solution to the Iran nuclear issue."(ANA)

FA/ANA/17 March 2010------