China, EU agree to maintain close contact on Iran nuclear issue

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana briefed Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing in a telephone call late Wednesday on his talks with Iran earlier this week, Xinhua said. The report did not give any more details on the conversation.

Solana had presented to Tehran an offer by world powers that included a comprise on a long-standing demand that Iran commit to a prolonged moratorium on uranium enrichment.

Instead, the package which is meant to entice Iran back to the negotiating table, asks only for a suspension and allows Tehran to continue with uranium conversion, which is linked to enrichment.

The package was approved last week in Vienna by the United States, Britain, China, France, Russia _ all permanent members of the U.N. Security Council _ and Germany.

France warned Wednesday that Iran would face U.N. sanctions if it rejects the incentives. Diplomats have said that Russia and China, both allies of Tehran, agreed to possible sanctions during the Vienna talks should Iran reject the package.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, however, said Moscow would support sanctions only if Iran violates the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty _ a possible indication of continued discord among the six powers endorsing the Iran package of rewards.