Written question asked by Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour) on Monday, 15 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 November 2004. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Thursday, 18 November 2004 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications of Iran's nuclear programme for (a) regional stability and (b) the Middle East peace process.

Answer: Mr. Foulkes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications of Iran's nuclear programme for (a) regional stability and (b) the Middle East peace process. [199023] Mr. Rammell: The proliferation of nuclear weapons in the Middle East would pose a significant threat to stability and efforts to establish peace in the region. The UK, working closely with France and Germany and the Office of the EU High Representative, has encouraged Iran to take steps that would reassure the international community that its nuclear programme is exclusively for peaceful purposes. We welcome the agreement reached with Iran on 15 November.

Secondary information