Iran-P5+1 Expert-level Talks Serious, Constructive: Dy Foreign Minister

Tehran, March 9, IRNA – Deputy foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Saturday that expert-level talks between Iran and the six nations – known as P5+1 – recently held in Vienna were serious and constructive. Araqchi, a senior member of Iranian negotiating team with the West over Tehran's nuclear program, told reporters that the three-day talks in Vienna were aimed at setting the agenda for the next round of nuclear talks due to be held also in Vienna from March 17-20. During the expert-level talks, Iranian experts only discussed technical dimensions and general features of the issue with experts from the P5+1 and no decisions were made, Araqchi said. On recent anti-Iran remarks by certain American officials which run contrary to Geneva deal struck on November 24 last year, the deputy foreign minister said that Iran will never be influenced by such remarks. He made it clear that the Geneva deal has not put an end to hostility between Iran and the United States, saying, ˈOur opposition to them and their policies over the nuclear issue and other matters remains in place.ˈ The senior Iranian diplomat reiterated that Iran has never been engaged in negotiations under pressure and will never do so in the future. Araqchi said that their psychological pressure and rhetoric will never affect Iranˈs resolve to pursue its legitimate rights. On EU foreign poly chief Catherine Ashtonˈs visit to Tehran, Araqchi said Ms. Ashton is scheduled to hold meetings with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday and other meetings are being planned which will be announced. Ashton is visiting Tehran not as a representative of the P5+1 or their coordinator, but somehow as foreign minister of 28-member European Union, Araqchi said. Naturally, Iranˈs nuclear program will be among issues to be discussed by Ashton and Iranian officials, Araqchi said. However, he added, other issues such as relations with Europe and political and economic issues of mutual interest will be put on the agenda of Ashtonˈs talks in Iran. He said that Ashton will also travel to historical city of Isfahan in central Iran on Monday to visit archeological and tourism sites in the city./end