Iran FM: Kazakhstan Ready To Host Almaty 3 Talks

Tehran, April 27, IRNA – Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi said here Saturday Kazakhstan has voiced its readiness to host the Almaty 3 talks between Iran and the Group 5+1 (US, UK, France, Russia and China plus Germany). Salehi made the remarks at the end of his recent visit to Almaty, Kazakhstan, to participate in the Third Heart of Asia Ministerial Conference 2013 which wrapped up on Friday. Referring to his meeting with President Nursultan Nazarbayev on the sidelines of the conference, he said the Kazakh president voiced willingness to host the Almaty 3 talks and follow up the Almaty 1 and 2 negotiations. Salehi stressed that the EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton has agreed to inform the Iranian side of the outcome of the talks. The Islamic Republic of Iran opposes any waste of time in Tehran-5+1 talks, he reiterated. He added that several issues including challenges in Afghanistan, terrorism, campaign against drug trafficking and organized crimes as well as expansion of economic cooperation among regional countries were discussed during the event. Heart of Asia Ministerial Conference was established in 2011 with an aim of forging confidence and expanding cooperation among regional countries. It has 45 members and is regarded as a regional and international forum./end