Foreign ministers from all European Union (EU) member states, who gathered in Brussels on Monday for a meeting, extended warm welcome to Iran's decision to suspend uranium enrichment.  

"The Council welcomed Iran's decision to suspend fully all enrichment related and reprocessing activities, and to sustain this suspension while negotiations are under way on an agreement on long-term arrangements," said a statement issued by the meeting.

The ministers voiced their applause following the report that Iran officially announced to suspend uranium enrichment earlier on the day.

The EU hopes Iran to take the steps necessary to enable IAEA Director General to report at the IAEA Board of Governors meeting on Nov. 25 that "full suspension was in place," said the document.

The ministers underlined the importance of the negotiation on long-term arrangements, affirming the willingness to work towards a "positive outcome."

"These arrangements will have to provide for objective guarantees that Iran's nuclear program is exclusive for peaceful purposes," said the statement.

(Xinhua News Agency November 23, 2004)