ARABS-EUROPEAN - Oct. 17 - European Ministers Step Up Pressure On Iran.

British, French and German FMs are to travel to Iran on Oct. 20 in a bid to persuade Iranian authorities to unconditionally sign an additional protocol to the NPT. Diplomats say the planned visit follows intense negotiations between senior Iranian officials and British foreign secretary, Jack Straw, his French counterpart Dominique de Villepin, and German FM Joschka Fischer. It will take place after EU leaders calls on Iran to co-operate fully with the IAEA. The leaders say the EU "remains ready to explore ways to develop a wider co-operation with Iran". They say that this could be achieved through increased international confidence on the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme. The EU also wants to see improvements in human rights, the fight against terrorism and Iran's support for any Middle East peace process. "The ministers would not be going to Iran unless there were going to get some positive signals from the authorities, " says a European diplomat. The three ministers have closely co-operated over the past several months, seeking ways to encourage Iran to ratify and implement the IAEA additional protocol on safeguards. Iran has always insisted its nuclear energy was for peaceful purposes only. In return for such co-operation, a senior European diplomat says that the Europeans could widen co-operation with Iran. Such co-operation could go beyond the trade and co-operation talks that started last year and are being negotiated by the EU Commission with Iran. "The real issue for Iran is not to be isolated. The reformers know this is a real possibility if Iran cannot give the IAEA what it is seeking by the end of the month, " says another European diplomat. "And at the moment, the Europeans are Iran's few friends left, " he adds. The UK foreign office issues a statement today which did not confirm that the visit will take place, but says that officials are "discussing with our German and French partners how best to make clear to Iran the urgent need to address the widespread international concern over its nuclear programme".