Iran, G5+1 Expert-Level Meeting Ends In Vienna

The expert-level meeting between the Islamic Republic of Iran and G5+1 wound up on Wednesday in Vienna, IRNA reported.

The meeting was held in presence of Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton.

The two sides exchanged views within the frameworks of the agenda prior to the final rounds of negotiations.

Talks between Iran and G5+1 kicked off on Wednesday and will continue till Friday March 7.

Deputy Foreign Minister Abbass Araqchi said on Tuesday that talks might take longer.

The agenda of this round of talks are enrichment of uranium, cooperation between Iran and IAEA and Arak research reactor, Araqchi said.

Director of Iranian Foreign Ministryˈs Political and International Department Hamid Baeidi-Nejad is leading the Iranian side during the expert talks while Stephen Clement, who is an aide to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton isl leading the other side.

Experts from foreign ministry and Nuclear Energy Organization of Iran are accompanying Baeidi-Nejad.

Next round of talks between Iran and G5+1 is to begin on March 20 in the presence of Zarif and Ashton.

Assembly of Experts Declares Support For Nuclear Talks

Meanwhile, the Assembly of Experts on Wednesday expressed “strong support” for Iran nuclear talks with G5+1.

The Assembly of Experts, the leadership body which according to the Constitution is responsible for monitoring performance of Velayat-e Faqih (Guardianship of Supreme Jurisprudent), said in a statement that the government has made a successful overture to thwart the propaganda campaign against Iranian nuclear program, a reference to the ongoing negotiations between Tehran and G5+1 including US, Russia, China, France, UK plus Germany, according to IRNA.

The statement noted that Iranian negotiating team made good efforts to prove the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear activities.

In the meantime, it underscored that the western governments should know that Tehran will not give up to the illegal demands despite the pressures unlawfully being exerted on Iran by the US Administration.

 “Pressures on Iran will not bring result; Tehran will continue with progress and economic development by adopting the Resistance Economy.”

Pointing to the escalation sectarian violence in some Muslim countries, the Assembly of Experts’ underlined that “Muslim Ummah should be vigilant towards enemy divisive plots.”

The two-day meeting of the Assembly of Experts ended Wednesday evening.

R.S