AFP, United Nations, 26 sept 2008 (excerpts) – The foreign ministers of China and Germany agreed Thursday that world powers must be united in their approach to Iran over its disputed nuclear program, a diplomatic source said.

Yang Jiechi of China and Germany’s Frank-Walter Steinmeier met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly after the five UN Security Council members plus Germany canceled a meeting this week on Iran’s sensitive nuclear work.

“Both ministers underlined the importance of the 3+3 format and called for a united front on the issue,” the source said on condition of anonymity.

Steinmeier warned repeatedly after the meeting’s cancellation that it would be difficult to bring pressure to bear on Iran to stop uranium enrichment if world powers did not demonstrate unity.