FM hopes Nov 24 to be national victory day for Iranians

Vienna, Nov 18, IRNA – Foreign Minister of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif on Tuesday hoped that November 24 would be a day of victory for Iranians in achieving their nuclear goals. He said irrespective of the outcome of the talks --striking a deal or resistance against the other party's excessive demands-- November 24 would be a national day of victory. Zarif made the remarks upon his arrival in Vienna where he is to hold the 10th round of nuclear talks with the Group 5+1. November 24 is set as the deadline to reach a comprehensive agreement by the two sides. "We have reached the last phase of the nuclear talks," Zarif told reporters at the airport. He reiterated that if there is political resolve in the other party for finding a final solution, Iran has prepared and introduced many proposals to build confidence over the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities. He added that Tehran's proposals can offer one or numerous appropriate solutions. If there is still a political will by the other party striking a deal would still be possible. The other party should make a "tough decision" and refrain from setting meaningless redlines to please pressure lobby groups, he said, adding that such a policy would not be effective in resolving the nuclear issue and that of the non-proliferation. "We are in Vienna with the objective to achieve an appropriate outcome through hard-work, God willingly, until the last day (November 24) which would respect and include interests of the Iranian nation and remove any legitimate concern of the international community, Foreign Minister Zarif said. He stressed if no inclusive agreement was reached as a result of the "excessive demands" of the other party, then the international community would realize that Iran was after mutual understanding, constructive interaction and a final solution and that the country would never give up the dignity and legitimate rights of its nation. Zarif reiterated that in the coming days all groups and people need to maintain self-confidence, sympathy and unity to prove that regardless of the outcome of the nuclear talks, November 24 would be a day of victory for Iranians in achieving their goals in all stages of the nuclear talks. The head of the Iranian negotiating team referred to those goals as making an agreement, if possible, demonstrating Iran's determination to follow up its legitimate rights based on interaction and cooperation and by resisting against excessive demands of the other party. Zarif arrived in Vienna on Tuesday to attend the 10th round of nuclear talks with G5+1, 10 days before the deadline ends. This round of talks will start with a working lunch between Zarif and EU nuclear coordinator Catherine Ashton at Iran's Embassy in Vienna. Zarif and Ashton are scheduled to discuss latest developments regarding the nuclear issue and in the meantime decide the process of negotiations./end