The French Foreign Ministry reiterated on Tuesday that France believes only in diplomacy in the search for a solution to the Iranian nuclear issue.

French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy has made it clear that only by means of diplomatic efforts, could the nuclear standoff with Tehran be resolved.

The stand remains the same and "there is no ambiguity" about that, Foreign Ministry spokesman Jean-Baptiste Mattei told reporters.

According to a US press report, a number of EU countries are apparently opposed to the demand from Washington that they reduce trade with Iran and freeze some assets owned by Iranian companies.

Mattei said that the punitive measures proposed by the United States were based on American law rather than on any UN Security Council resolutions. It is therefore of no effect in Europe, he said.

France and the other EU countries do have a common stand of their own that is to strictly carry out Resolution 1737 adopted by the UN Security Council, the spokesman said, adding that the 27-member bloc is discussing a joint move.

The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1737 on Dec. 23, 2006, demanding Iran to "suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development, and work on all heavy water-related projects."

The EU ministers met last week, saying they welcomed Resolution 1737 and agreed to impose sanctions requested by the world body, including a ban on transactions with Iran and a freeze on assets of individuals and entities covered by the criteria in the resolution.

The ministers also said the EU must suspend the measures should Iran halt all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities.

(Xinhua News Agency January 31, 2007)