Larijani says Iran "serious" about nuclear talks

BRUSSELS, July 6 (Reuters) Chief Iranian nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani met European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana today and said Tehran was serious about pursuing nuclear talks with the EU.

But he made clear he would not be giving a response yet to a package of technological, economic and political incentives offered by major powers if Iran suspends uranium enrichment, which the West fears is intended to produce nuclear weapons.

''We are serious about continuing negotiations and will start next Tuesday with talks,'' Larijani told reporters at a brief joint photo session. He said he had accepted Thursday's dinner invitation ''out of respect'' for Solana but, asked whether he had brought a preliminary response from Tehran, he said: ''We will talk about it on Tuesday.'' Reuters DH VP9932