EUOBSERVER/BRUSSELS - The incoming Obama administration will step up its calls on Europe to close legal loopholes allowing Iran to pursue its nuclear activities, outgoing US ambassador to Brussels Kristen Silverberg said on Tuesday (13 January). "Iran is still taking advantage of their economic ties here in Europe," Ms Silverberg said at a conference organised by the European Policy Centre, a Brussels-based think-tank. President Barack Obama will not shy from being tough on Europe regarding Iran The Obama administration is expected to raise the problem of Europe's loopholes in its sanctions regime, including "transport companies involved in supporting proliferation sensitive activities," stopping export credits to Iran and all financial assistance, she said. Ms Silverberg, a political appointee of the outgoing Bush administration, has been in office for less than six months and will leave her posting next Monday, a day before the inauguration of incoming president Barack Obama. She stressed that the president-elect had endorsed a bill in the Senate providing for very tough sanctions against Iran and that he called on Americans to pressure companies to cut their financial ties with Iran.
EUOBSERVER/BRUSSELS - The incoming Obama administration will step up its calls on Europe to close legal loopholes allowing Iran to pursue its nuclear activities, outgoing US ambassador to Brussels Kristen Silverberg said on Tuesday (13 January).
"Iran is still taking advantage of their economic ties here in Europe," Ms Silverberg said at a conference organised by the European Policy Centre, a Brussels-based think-tank.
President Barack Obama will not shy from being tough on Europe regarding Iran
The Obama administration is expected to raise the problem of Europe's loopholes in its sanctions regime, including "transport companies involved in supporting proliferation sensitive activities," stopping export credits to Iran and all financial assistance, she said.
Ms Silverberg, a political appointee of the outgoing Bush administration, has been in office for less than six months and will leave her posting next Monday, a day before the inauguration of incoming president Barack Obama.
She stressed that the president-elect had endorsed a bill in the Senate providing for very tough sanctions against Iran and that he called on Americans to pressure companies to cut their financial ties with Iran.
