8th Round of Talks Between Iran, G5+1 Ends
Tehran – The 8th round of negotiations between Iran and the G5+1 ended in Vienna on Thursday.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton jointly led the negotiations, IRNA reported.
The 8th round of talks between Iran and the Sextet began on Tuesday this week in Vienna with a round of talks among the deputies of Zarif, US Secretary of State John Kerry and Ashton, followed by a round of talks between the Iranian and US technicians.
Zarif and Ashton then had a bilateral talk, followed by talks in the presence of their deputies over a working dinner.
On Wednesday, the trilateral Zarif-Kerry-Ashton talks began and the three sides pursued topics in three rounds after short breaks.
All believe nuclear issue will be resolved – Zarif
Meanwhile, on Wednesday Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in Austria that everyone has currently reached the conclusion that the nuclear issue can be settled.
Iran’s nuclear technology is indigenous and peaceful and an achievement made by Iranian scientists. No one can wish such achievement should not exist, Zarif told reporters following his meeting with the outgoing EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.
The Iranian FM said that in his negotiations with Ashton, the two discussed remaining issues and ways to solve the disputed topics.
It is necessary to talk about the ways which are both serious and innovative for resolving the remaining disagreements, Zarif said noting, but it is a time-consuming discussion and we may need more time for further negotiation.
Zarif added that nuclear meetings will continue as of Wednesday afternoon in the form of tripartite talks with the participation of Ashton and US Secretary of State John Kerry.
Iran has no need to nuclear arms, Zarif stressed.
He said the Thursday meeting can be an opportunity to review all issues with members of the G5+1 (US, Britain, Russia, China and France plus Germany). But this does not necessarily mean that there is a new positive or negative situation, added the head of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team.
IRNA
R.S