Germany urges Iran to show it's serious about nuke talks

LAPPEENRANTA/FINLAND: Germany on Saturday urged Iran to send a signal that it is serious about talks on its suspending some nuclear activities, as pressure builds for sanctions against the Islamic republic.

"We don't want to slam the door but we need a signal from Iran that it is ready to move in our direction," German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said ahead of a meeting of European Union foreign ministers.

Iran ignored a UN Security Council deadline on Thursday to suspend uranium enrichment -- a process used to power a nuclear reactor but which could also be used to fuel an atomic bomb, which many fear Tehran is trying to build.

The United States has begun working toward sanctions, but since Iran offered new talks on its nuclear programme, veto-holding security council members Russia and China appear to have softened their stance.

European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana will discuss Iran's offer next week with top Iranian nuclear negotiator Ari Larijani, as the EU continues down the diplomatic track, even though it has proved ineffective so far.

France's minister for European affairs, Catherine Colonna, also warned that Iran had very little time left to respond positively.

When asked by reporters how long Iran would have she said, "See you in a few days."