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Fresh Iran talks set for Moscow

China.org.cn, May 25, 2012

• Key talks to resolve the nuclear dispute between Iran and the world six major powers ended in Baghdad Thursday with a plan to hold a new round of talks in Moscow next month.

  China's Assistant Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu speaks during an interview by Xinhua News Agency in Baghdad, May 24, 2012. Iran and six world powers known as P5+1 agreed Thursday to meet in mid June in Moscow for a new round of talks to resolve the nuclear dispute after two days of discussions in Baghdad. [Wang Hongbin/Xinhua]

  During the past two days, representatives from Iran and the UN Security Council's five permanent members -- the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China -- plus Germany, known as P5+1, as well as the EU, gathered in Iraqi capital Baghdad and held intensified negotiations aiming at defusing the long-running escalating crisis over Tehran's nuclear program. 
  
  

  European Union's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said at the end of the meetings that a new round of nuclear talks will be held in Moscow on June 18-19.

  Ashton said that both the Iranian and the power states wanted to make progress in their two-day discussions in Baghdad, but substantial differences still remain.

  "It is clear that we both want to make progress, and that there is some common ground. However, significant differences remain. Nonetheless, we do agree on the need for further discussion to expand that common ground," Ashton told a news conference at the end of meetings.

  "Iran declared its readiness to address the issue of 20 percent enrichment and came with its own five-point plan, including their assertion that we recognize their right to enrichment," Ashton said.

  She also said that both sides agreed the talks will be based on step-by-step approach and reciprocity, stressing that both sides remain determined to resolve Iran's nuclear dispute in the near future through negotiations.

  Ma Zhaoxu, China's representative to the talks and the country's Assistant Foreign Minister, said the talks as "gaining new achievements."

  "All sides put forward their concerns and proposals, as differences and common ground both exist," Ma told Xinhua at the conclusion of the two-day talks.

  "Based on a step-by-step approach and reciprocity, all sides, during the meeting, declared their willingness to address the issue through dialogue," he said.

  For his part, Iran's chief negotiator Saeed Jalili told reporters that his country has the "inalienable right" to obtain nuclear energy and uranium enrichment.

  "We emphasized that having peaceful nuclear energy, especially uranium enrichment, is our people's inalienable right," Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Secretary Saeed Jalili said at a separate news conference immediately after Aston's.

  Jalili also stressed that all signatories to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) have the right to enrichment.

  "Uranium enrichment is among the inalienable rights of all NPT member states and Iran insists on using this right," Jalili said.

  He also said that the Iranian delegation to Baghdad meeting "had serious and fundamental talks, and made serious proposals" to the major world powers.

  Jalili said "we hope that talks and cooperation will continue as the only path for progressive and successful." 

  Tehran has repeatedly contested that its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes and it is not seeking nuclear arms.

  The six powers hopes to reach an agreement to curb Iran's uranium enrichment and allow UN inspectors to verify its nuclear activity.

  Iran's priority is to secure an end to international sanctions that isolate the country and damage its economy.

  The talks were closely watched by Israel, which says Iran is trying to buy time to keep its nuclear plants in full operation. Israel also threatened to resort to military action unless Iran's nuclear development is curbed.

  The UN has by now imposed several rounds of sanctions against Tehran for its refusal to halt uranium enrichment, a technology that can be used to produce nuclear fuel or materials for bombs.

  The EU, the United States and some other countries have imposed oil embargo as part of their sanctions to pressure Tehran into resuming talks on the country's nuclear program. They have also imposed tough banking sanctions aiming at limiting Iran's ability to sell oil, which accounts for 80 percent of its foreign revenues.

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