EU backs UN sanctions on North Korea

LONDON: The EU on Sunday welcomed UN sanctions imposed on North Korea for its declared atomic test, saying a united stand augured well for the world's showdown with Iran over its disputed nuclear programme.   

"Of course we fully back" the sanctions agreed in the UN Security Council on Saturday, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso told BBC television during a visit to London.   

"They are really important for the credibility of the international community because what's happening in North Korea is not only very bad and very dangerous for the region, but for the world," he said.   

The development in Pyongyang "raises the question of proliferation of nuclear technology and (the) possibility of North Korea selling that technology to terrorist groups," Barroso said.   

"It's very important we stand firm and support the United Nations sanctions," he said.   

When asked if the European Union would push for firmer measures if North Korea failed to respond to the sanctions, he replied, "We believe we have to keep the international community as united as possible. We are very happy for instance with the tough position taken by China," Barroso said after Beijing endorsed the sanctions, despite its reservations about provisions for inspecting cargo to and from North Korea.   

"That (Chinese position) was good because this is also important for Iran. Iran, we are trying to follow the diplomatic route," he said.   

"So the signal that we give now with North Korea can be also important for the Iran issue," he said.   

Russia and China have balked at the type of sanctions against Iran that the United States and its EU allies have supported while continuing to keep diplomatic options open.   

Iran has been under growing pressure since missing an August 31 UN deadline to suspend uranium enrichment. The Islamic republic says its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes but the West fears it is a cover for obtaining atomic weapons.