Brussels, March 22 (IANS/AKI) The European Union Monday asked Iran to stop blocking satellite signals and internet websites of various foreign media operating in the country.

Tehran must 'put an end to this electronic interference immediately,' EU foreign ministers said in a joint statement Monday.

The statement came after three major international broadcasters - the BBC, Deutsche Welle and Voice of America - complained in February that Iran began its 'deliberate electronic interference' in their broadcasts in the country.

The Iranian government started taking action to shut down websites and expel foreign news organisations when demonstrators took to the streets to protest against the disputed re-election of president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in June last year, they said.

The EU said it intended to raise the issue with the International Telecommunications Union.

'The interesting thing is that Iran wants to expand its satellite channels network around the world - that's why the ITU is the best place to talk about that,' Germany's Deputy Foreign Minister Werner Hoyer said.

'It is important that we show European solidarity and I think we can get that,' Hoyer said.

--IANS/AKI

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