UNITED NATIONS, Aug 21: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has appealed to Iran to respond positively to the package of Security Council-endorsed proposals aimed at resolving the nuclear issue.

“I am pleased that the Islamic Republic of Iran has indicated it will respond to the proposal of the EU3 plus 3 for a comprehensive solution to the nuclear issue on Tuesday, 22 August 2006,” the secretary general said in a statement on Monday referring to the offer made by China, France, Germany, Russia, the US and the UK, with the support of the European Union’s High Representative.

“Iran’s reply will, I trust, be positive and that this will be the foundation for a final, negotiated settlement,” he said in an appeal to the government of Iran issued at UN Headquarters in New York.

The EU3 plus 3 proposals, endorsed by the Security Council in resolution 1696 of 31 July, envisaged a long-term arrangement which would allow the development of relations with Iran based on mutual respect, and the establishment of international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme.

Mr Annan stressed that in a time of acute crisis in the Middle East, progress on the nuclear issue was essential for the stability not only of the region, but the international system itself.

“It is time to take steps in the right direction,” he said, adding: “I am convinced that a way is now open for setting a milestone for international non-proliferation efforts.”