Iran, US, Europe Start Trilateral Talks

Two-day trilateral talks between Iran, the United States and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashtonˈs deputy Helga Schmid began in Geneva Monday afternoon, according to IRNA.

The Iranian delegation is headed by deputy foreign ministers Abbas Araqchi and Majid Takht-Ravanchi while US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns leads the US delegation.

Wendy Sherman, US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs and Washington’s top nuclear negotiator in the P5+1 along with two other prominent US figures are accompanying Burns during the talks.

Speaking to reporters upon his arrival in Geneva, Araqchi said there are different issues yet to be solved between Iran and the P5+1.

He said a lot of efforts are needed to bring views closer and that the other side has to make hard decisions and recognize legitimate rights of the Iran.

Araqchi said that after the trilateral talks, the Iranian delegation will hold bilateral talks with the US delegation.

The talks are being held on the eve of the fifth round of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the six world nations – known as the P5+1 – slated for June 16-20 in Vienna.

After talks in Geneva, the Iranian delegation will depart for Rome where it is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with a delegation from Russia on Wednesday and Thursday.

Araqchi also said that Iran will probably hold separate bilateral talks with delegations from France and Germany before Vienna talks.

Negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 in Vienna are aimed at agreeing to start drafting a comprehensive deal that they failed to do in the previous round of talks.

Araqchi says is optimistic about upcoming nuclear talks

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Monday that he is optimistic about reaching an agreement with the six western powers on Iranˈs nuclear program before the July 20 deadline.

Speaking to reporters, he noted that of course, it is G5+1 member states that must make tough decisions to reach a final agreement.

Iran and G5+1 member states will discuss issues in details and Tehran hopes to start drafting the final agreement in the upcoming talks with G5+1 in Vienna slated for June 16-20, Araghchi noted.

He added that Iranian negotiating team will do its best to defend Tehranˈs right to peaceful use of nuclear energy.

If Iran and G5+1 member states do not reach an agreement, Geneva Interim Nuclear Agreement could be extended for another six months, the senior negotiator said.

Iranian, US and European Union (EU) officials started two days of nuclear talks on Monday.

Helga Schmidt, the deputy of EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton is present in Iran-US talks.

Iranian officials would then hold similar discussions with Russia in Rome from June 11-12.

Iran is also ˈworking to arrangeˈ other bilateral discussions with members of the six powers including France and Germany.

Iran and the G5+1 are working to hammer out a comprehensive deal following the interim accord that was reached in the Swiss city of Geneva on November 24, 2013 and went into force on January 20 this year.

Under the Geneva deal, the six countries pledged to provide Iran with some sanctions relief in exchange for the Islamic Republic agreeing to scale down certain aspects of its nuclear activities during a six-month period.

R.S