BRUSSELS The European Union announced it supports Iran's membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO), IRNA reported on Thursday.

"The EU desires to see very soon accession of Iran to WTO," EU spokesman for external relations, Gunnar Wiegand, told a regular press briefing at the European Commission Thursday afternoon.

Wiegand was replying to a reporter's question on the U.S.-Israeli veto in Geneva on Wednesday blocking Iran's bid to join the WTO.

"What happened with China and Taiwan, and what will happen with Russia and Lebanon should happen with Iran," the EU spokesman said.

China was recently admitted to the WTO and Russia and Lebanon have applied for membership.

Wiegand said the EU favored that all the world's major trading powers should become members of the WTO.

He also repeated statements that the EU would begin talks with Iran on a trade and cooperation agreement as soon as the European Council gives the mandate.

The council is expected to give the mandate during the current Spanish EU presidency.

Iran first applied to open WTO membership talks in 1996.