AFP, Paris, Nov 14, 2008 (excerpts) – Representatives from the six powers involved in negotiations over Iran’s disputed nuclear programme have reaffirmed their dual-track approach of dialogue and sanctions with Tehran, the French foreign ministry said Thursday.
The political directors from China, Germany, Russia, Britain and the United States along with France and a representative for EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana met in Paris Thursday evening to discuss the Iranian nuclear issue, the ministry said in a statement.

The communique recalled that the UN Security Council “reaffirmed the importance of the dual-track approach,” namely talking with Tehran while also considering imposing more sanctions on the regime if it fails to halt sensitive nuclear work.

“The meeting allowed the participants to review the current situation and to discuss the way ahead on both tracks,” the ministry said, adding that the six powers would continue their talks on the next steps in the coming weeks.

Ahead of Thursday meeting, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner told journalists that “we have always been supporters of both sanctions and dialogue, and it must continue like that.”