Iran, 5+1 Start 3rd Round of Talks in Vienna

Third round of talks began in the Austrian capital Wednesday, attended by deputy foreign ministers of Iran and the group of sextet, IRNA reported

Abbas Araqchi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, and Helga Schmid, deputy to European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, are chairing the today negotiations.

Informed sources have described the first and second rounds of negotiations held on Tuesday as good.

The first round of Tuesday talks was led by Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad JavadZarif and Ms Ashton.

Meanwhile, theChairman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehiaffirmed on Wednesday that Iran’s pursuance of peaceful nuclear technology is in line with national interests and based on the international treaties.

Reiterating Tehranˈs commitment to its independent policies, Salehi said all countries are expected to be committed to the ˈAtom for Peaceˈ strategy set by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

He expressed hope that all nations would fully implement the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and meet the existing concerns over development, stockpiling and use of the atomic weapons.

Speaking in a local gathering here, the AEOIˈs chief also called for a day when all world nations can take advantage of the peaceful nuclear technology with no fear.

As one of the world largest Muslim countries which has a major and special position in the region, ˈIran is to move forward in line with the increasing international use of modern sciences and technologies.ˈ

To this end, Salehi stressed, Tehran is determined to further stabilize its position through constructive interaction with other nations as an ancient civilization-making country.

According to western culture, providing public interest is to guarantee the interests of an individual, party or group while according to the Islamic principles, public interest means serving interest of all humans, including Muslims.

Referring to a fatwa (religious order) issued by the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei against the nuclear weapons, Salehi said it has challenged the prevailing approach of western states at international arena.

The Fatwa rooted in Islamˈs strategic and global approach vis-à-vis nuclear weapons, Salehi stressed.

Iran’s Supreme Leader issued a fatwa prohibiting the manufacture and use of nuclear weapons in 2005.

Final agreement possible in 6 month

Reaching final agreement with the Group 5+1 in six months is possible if the US side shows good intention, spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) said, according to IRNA.

BehrouzKamalvandi told reporters, ˈTehran is to reach a conclusion in six months. Though talks are difficult, it does not mean that reaching an agreement is not possible.ˈ

Officials of Iran and the worldˈs Sextet (US, Britain, Russia, France and China plus Germany) are currently in Vienna, Austria, to hold the second day of the new round of nuclear talks.

The Iranian delegation is headed by Foreign Minister Mohammad JavadZarif while the G5+1 delegation is led by EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.

Kamalvandi said that the talks are to be ˈcontinued on Wednesday at expert level.ˈ

Speaking on the sidelines of a local gathering here, the official said the Joint Plan of Action predicted that the two sides would reach an agreement in one year and so far, we have not heard of the other side that the talks need more time.

Referring to the fact that this round of talks is more complicated and difficult, he said, ˈThe talks are good despite efforts made by certain media to pretend that several non-nuclear topics are discussed in the negotiations.ˈ

ˈWhat is important is the words made at the negotiation table not the remarks uttered by some western officials,ˈ Kamalvandi stressed.

He noted that the Iranian negotiating team is concentrated on the nuclear issue and safeguarding the nuclear achievements and nationˈs rights and also observing the countryˈs red lines.ˈ

ˈIranˈs nuclear facilities are working the same as before. Our centrifuges are active like the past but instead of enriching 20 percent we are producing five-percent enrichment. Moreover, the oxidization of the stockpiled 20-percent enriched uranium has been also added to our previous activities.ˈ

He expressed hope that the ongoing talks would lead to ˈa comprehensive deal.ˈ

R.S