Europe is ready to propose to Iran over the development of its civilian nuclear program and offer "security guarantees" to Iran, French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said on Thursday.

In an interview with French daily Le Monde in its Friday edition, Douste-Blazy affirmed that the European offer, which is being finalized, aims at "opening a new chapter of the relationship" between Iran and the European Union (EU) as well as all the international community.

"We propose to support the development of a safe, economically viable and non proliferating civilian nuclear program in Iran, including the access to nuclear fuel," he said.

Douste-Blazy also mentioned the ideas to "make progress our relationship in the fields of politics and security, especially on regional issues of common interest".

"We are totally able to make some proposals of security guarantee," added the French minister without further explaining.

According to diplomats, the European troika (France, Germany and Great Britain) aim to hand over new proposals to Iran on Friday for economic and political cooperation meant to persuade Teheran to abandon uranium conversion work which might be used to make a nuclear bomb.

"The suspension is indispensable", said Douste-Blazy, adding that if the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) can not ensure the "exclusively pacific" character of the Iranian nuclear program, the international community can appeal to the United Nations Security Council.

However he noted that it was not the favored option, hoping for negotiations.

He also reiterated "if the Iranian persist on their unilateral choice, we will ask then for a meeting of the IAEA's governors council, or the (UN) Security Council if necessary".

(Xinhua News Agency August 5, 2005)