AP – January 03, 2012
PARIS — France’s foreign minister says Europe must agree on stricter sanctions against Iran by the end of January because of its controversial nuclear program.
Alain Juppe says there is “no doubt” that Iran is continuing with its plans to build a nuclear weapon. Iran insists that its nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes.
Speaking in an interview Tuesday on French television channel i>tele, Juppe said France wants Europe to agree on sanctions similar to those already imposed by the U.S., including a freeze on the Iranian central bank’s assets and an embargo on Iran’s oil exports.
Juppe said these measures should be agreed “by January 30” as a way of showing Europe’s determination to stop Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
