The United States fully supports European Union (EU)'s efforts to halt Iran's suspected nuclear activities, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in Washington on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters after talks with Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer of Germany, Rice called the EU-3 -- Germany, Britain and France -- negotiations with Iran "a process that we fully support."

"Iran should take full advantage of the opportunity to show the world that it is prepared to live up to its international obligations," Rice said.

Germany, Britain and France, acting on behalf of the 25-nation EU, want Tehran to abandon its enrichment activities in exchange for economic aid, technical support and backing for Iran's efforts to join mainstream international organizations.

Washington accused Tehran of using its civilian nuclear programas a cover to build nuclear weapons. Tehran has denied the charges, saying its nuclear program is geared merely to generate electricity, not producing weapons.

(Xinhua News Agency June 9, 2005)