Iran-G5+1 Talks in Istanbul “Totally Different”

Local Editor

Are the Iran Nuclear Talks Finally Headed in the Right Direction?

Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany (P5+1) wrapped up the first round of talks in Istanbul on Saturday.

Spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton told reporters at the meeting in Istanbul that Iran's talks with six world powers are "positive" and "totally different" from the last failed attempt in January 2011. "There is a positive atmosphere ... contrasting with the last time," Michael Mann said. "The principles for future talks seem to be there."

He added that the US has requested bilateral meeting with Iran in Istanbul.

"The Americans are open to the idea of meeting the Iranians," AFP quoted one Western diplomat from a European country participating in the talks in Istanbul as saying.

"All countries have expressed interest for bilaterals," said Mann.

Iranian delegation, visiting Turkey since Friday morning, is headed by the Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Counci.

Jalili met Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu Friday, and talks started on Iran’s nuclear file.

Turkey's foreign minister discussed latest bilateral relations and international affairs at the meeting.

During his visit to Istanbul, Jalili also met Ashton over dinner Friday night. Formal talks between both officials expected to get under way Saturday Morning, IRNA reported.

'We hope that this first round will produce a conducive environment for concrete results through a sustained process,' Mann said.

In the meantime, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov stressed on diplomatic resolution of Iran’s nuclear issue at a joint media interaction after their meeting on Friday.

Lavrov said also that Moscow is optimistic about the outcome of the upcoming Iran-G5+1 talks.

Iran and the Group 5+1 agreed to resume talks in Istanbul, Turkey, on April 14 and a second round in the Iraqi capital city, Baghdad.

The last meeting between the two sides took place in Istanbul in January 2011. Iran and the G5+1 had also held two rounds of multifaceted talks in Geneva in December 2010.

Washington and its Western allies accuse Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program, without presenting any compelling evidence. Iran denies the charges and insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.

Source: Agencies
14-04-2012 - 11:12 Last updated 14-04-2012 - 16:05

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