Iran's president has welcomed an international incentives package offered in exchange for Tehran suspending uranium enrichment and returning to talks on its nuclear program. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told reporters in the Chinese city of Shanghai Friday that the offer is a step forward and Iran will carefully consider it. He said he will give a response in due time in line with his country's international interests.
The five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council (the United States, Russia, Britain, France and China) plus Germany offered the incentives package. Mr. Ahmadinejad is attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit as an observer.
European Union leaders meeting in Brussels are calling on Iran to respond quickly and positively to the incentives offer. In a draft summit declaration, the leaders said any solution to the issue must address concerns about Iran's nuclear program while affirming Iran's right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.