European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana announced today he is expecting to meet Iran's chief nuclear negotiator next week to explain a US-backed European package of incentives for Tehran to end nuclear activities.
"I can tell you that I expect to meet in the coming days - next week probably - with Mr Larijani," Solana told reporters, saying he had spoken to Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, at length by telephone yesterday.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said yesterday that Tehran would reply to the EU proposal by August 22nd, prompting President Bush to say it "seems like an awfully long time" to consider a plan Mr Solana delivered to Iran on June 6th.