INTERNATIONAL > Technical Iran nuke talks start in Istanbul

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

The negotiations between Iran and the world powers are to continue today in Istanbul at the level of technical experts.

The so-called world powers “P5+1” - Britain, China, France, Russia, United States, plus Germany - are attempting to take the process further with small steps, a senior Turkish Foreign Ministry official told the Hürriyet Daily News yesterday.

The meeting is not officially hosted by Turkey and it has simply provided logistical help for the meeting, such as in security. Both sides will speak about technical issues on an expert level, the official added.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has said his country wants there to be a “win-win” outcome in talks with world powers over its nuclear program, the Associated Press reported. Salehi said Iran would always pursue its nuclear rights, in reference to uranium enrichment.

The negotiations between Iran and world powers seeking a diplomatic solution to the crisis over Tehran’s nuclear program remained deadlocked in the latest meeting held in Moscow on June 19.

‘Choice is Iran’s’

Iran and the P5+1 countries have decided on an early follow-up technical-level meeting in Istanbul to provide a further clarification about the proposals of the world powers, increase P5+1 understanding of the Iranian response, and study the issues raised by Iran during the sessions.

This will be followed by contact at the deputy-level between Helga Schmid, deputy to EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and Iranian diplomat Ali Bagheri.

“The choice is Iran’s. We expect Iran to decide on whether it is willing to make diplomacy work, to focus on reaching agreement on concrete confidence building steps, and to address the concerns of the international community,” EU High Representative Catherine Ashton’s Spokesperson Maja Kocijancic told the Hürriyet Daily News.

July/03/2012