Iran-EU nuclear talks likely in Spain in May-report

TEHRAN, May 19 (Reuters) The next round of talks between Iran and the European Union on Tehran's disputed nuclear programme is likely to take place in Spain later this month, Iran's foreign minister was quoted as saying today.

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, a Spaniard, last met in Turkey on April 25-26 to discuss the nuclear row and agreed to meet again but without fixing a date and venue.

''There is a high possibility that it will take place in Spain,'' Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told the ILNA news agency, suggesting the meeting would be sometime between May 22 and May 31.

The official IRNA news agency earlier this week said May 31 was the agreed date.

Iran is embroiled in a deepening standoff with major powers over its atomic ambitions, which the West fears are aimed at making nuclear weapons. Tehran says it only wants to produce electricity.

The United Nations has imposed two sets of sanctions on Iran since December over its refusal to freeze uranium enrichment -- a process that can be used to make atomic warheads.

US officials have warned of a third, tougher resolution if Tehran does not halt such work, but Iranian leaders have repeatedly said they will not bow to such pressure.

Asked whether Iran would make any new proposals at the meeting with Solana, Mottaki said: ''The discussion is not over a particular proposal but it is possible that different ideas will be discussed.'' REUTERS AGL KN1626