LUXEMBOURG -- Iran is on the agenda of the EU foreign ministers' working dinner here on Monday evening to discuss the 27-member EU bloc's approach to the Islamic Republic.

The background to the discussion is the ongoing dialogue with Iran on the country's nuclear program and the talks in Geneva on October 1 between Iran and the five permanent members of the Security Council, together with Germany, said the Swedish EU Presidency in a statement.

The EU foreign ministers begin here Monday their formal 2-day meeting.
On Tuesday, they will discuss the Middle East.

The discussion is expected to involve the sensitive situation in the peace process and how the EU can continue to support American efforts to persuade the parties to resume peace negotiations.

The EU's foreign policy chief Javier Solana will brief the ministers on his latest visit to the region.

The ministers are further expected to discuss the worrying situation on the ground, especially in Jerusalem and Gaza, and what more the EU can do to improve the situation.

They will also discuss, on Tuesday, the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan and adopt an action plan to strengthen EU action in the two Muslim countries.

Today, the ministers will make preparations for the upcoming EU Summit taking place on October 29-30 in Brussels.
They will also discuss the required preparations ahead of the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, climate change, the EU Baltic Sea Strategy, the Balkans, and Sri Lanka.

EU-Armenia Cooperation Council, EU-Azerbaijan Cooperation Council, and the EU-Georgia Cooperation Council are to convene here on Monday.