Iran said Sunday that the European Union (EU) and Tehran would start discussions on the construction of a research nuclear reactor promised by the EU, the official IRNA news agency reported.

"A European delegation will come to Iran after the January holidays to discuss details of construction of a research nuclear reactor in the Islamic Republic," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi was quoted as saying.

The European trio of Britain, France and Germany, in order to encourage Iran to suspend its sensitive nuclear activities, has promised a wholesale of incentive offers on trade and nuclear technology, including construction of the reactor, in the Paris Agreement reached between the two sides on Nov. 7.

One week ago, Iran and the EU in Brussels held a new round of talks on the implementation of the Paris Agreement. Asefi said Iran and the EU held their first nuclear committee session in a European city Friday and discussed their "peaceful nuclear cooperation" as well as "tangible guarantees" in the implementation of their agreements.

"Talks were also held on tangible guarantees which are reflected in the principles of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and its protocol," Asefi said.

"It was agreed that we reach an understanding on these two subjects so that both we receive our due rights and the Europeans' concerns are removed," he added.

The US accused Iran of developing nuclear weapons while Tehran categorically rejected the accusation, saying its nuclear research was completely peaceful.

(Xinhua News Agency December 20, 2004)