China appreciates the European Union's commitment to solving the Iranian nuclear issue through negotiations, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said on Tuesday.

On Monday, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to finding a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue and offer a cooperation package to Tehran.

According to Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik, whose country holds the current EU Presidency, the EU is prepared to offer a cooperation package and to support Iran's development of a sustainable and proliferation-proof civilian nuclear program, if international concerns were fully addressed and Iran's intentions are established.

"China appreciates this important stance of the European Union," Liu told a routine press conference.

China has not yet received the official paper from the European Union on its solution to the nuclear issue, Liu said, hoping that the program would be a comprehensive, balanced one, which not only helps achieve the non-proliferation goal but also addresses Iran's reasonable concerns.

Liu said all parties concerned should work actively to start the next round of diplomatic negotiations.

On May 19, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, namely, the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France; and Germany will hold talks on the Iran nuclear issue in London, and the EU is expected to table the new package to the meeting.

Meanwhile, China and Iran have always been in consultations on the nuclear issue and they are currently maintaining close contacts and coordination, the spokesman said.

Source: Xinhua/