TEHRAN The European Union and the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council share a common approach towards Iran, says British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook. He also insisted there was no disagreement between the EU and Britain towards the Islamic Republic, saying it was the British presidency that brokered the new approach. Speaking at the end of an EU-PGCC foreign ministers meeting in London Tuesday, Cook declared that the approach was on two different levels. If Iranian President Mohammad Khatami wishes to proceed with the economic and political dialogue, we will support him, Cook said, but added that at the same time, we should keep a robust guard about areas of concern. It seems that Britain, unlike the U.S., has realized that Iran-bashing will no more help them in reaching their objectives, this is why Cook even tries to ascribe EU's new approach towards Iran to Britain's presidency, one analyst said. The reality is that Britain has followed U.S. line of action in Europe which till recently has been anti-Iran and pro-Zionist, he added. We welcome Cook's overture for dialogue in political and economic areas, but at the same time we see contradiction in his action and word, an official source who did not want to be named said. He was referring to the latest Cook's recent statement on Rushdie. Also Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Mahmood Mohammadi, on Friday said, Cook's statement on Rushdie reflects his support for a clash between the civilizations and struggle against Islam. According to IRNA, Mohammadi also said, Rushdie's issue is an example of the clash of civilizations and Cook's statement is considered as his support for disrespect to the beliefs of one billion Muslims. Cook repeated the usual claims about Iran supporting terrorism and developing weapons of mass destruction, but said he understood these two issue were not in the control of the president. Referring to Cook's statement on previous baseless charges against Iran, Mohammadi said, such statements would not help improve Iran's relations with Europe. Iran is opposed to terrorism and the weapons of mass destruction, he said. A joint communique issued after the EU-PGCC meeting, the first of its kind devoted to political dialogue, related that both sides discussed recent encouraging developments in Iran since Khatami's election. Off and on we hear from our partners in the West that they are encouraged by Khatami's election, one editorialist said, adding, but in practice, we hear the same baseless charges that some countries used to label against Iran. What we expect from these countries is action, he said, adding if they are sincere in their remarks about Khatami's election, they must change their attitude and prove it in practice. The EU was also said to have briefed the foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and the UAE, on the recent decision to resume dialogue with Iran. The communique noted with concern the lack of progress between the UAE and Iran over the question of Abu Musa and the Tunbs islands, with the EU reiterating its support for a peaceful solution through either direct negotiations or the international court of justice. At the subsequent press conference, Kuwait Foreign Minister and current president of the PGCC, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed Al-Jabar al-Sabah, said there was no difference in substance between the six Arab nations and the EU regarding the dispute. But he said the PGCC had more impetus to see a rapid return to peace in the region. As far as the misunderstanding between Iran and the UAE is concerned, it must be noted that the issue is absolutely a bilateral one. Secondly, Iran's doors are open to any suggestion from the UAE provided they prove their sincerity for peacefully settling the problem through bilateral negotiations, a source close to Foreign Ministry told the Tehran Times. The meeting, represented by the EU troika foreign ministers from Austria, Luxembourg and Britain, also discussed the recent crises with Iraq and the stalled Middle East peace process.