Iran, world powers to meet again May 13

TEHRAN,Apr.10(MNA) – After two days of talks in Vienna which ended on Wednesday negotiators from Iran and the six world powers agreed to meet again on May 13 to continue talks on the Iranian nuclear issue in the Austrian capital. The talks are aimed at paving the way for drafting a compressive nuclear deal between Iran and the major powers known as the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany). In a joint press conference with European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton who represents the powers, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that serious efforts are required to address the differences between the two sides. The Vienna talks are meant to build on an interim deal reached between Iran and the 5+1 group in Geneva on November 2013, according to which Iran agreed not to expand its nuclear program for six months in exchange for limited sanctions relief. In a joint statement with Zarif, Ashton said, “We now move to the next stage of the negotiations in which we will aim to bridge the gaps in all the key areas and work on the concrete elements of a possible comprehensive agreement.” In a separate news conference with Iranian journalists, Zarif said, “Our partners could depict an absolutely clear and realistic picture of Iran’s peaceful nuclear program and we feel that many of the misunderstandings and concerns can be alleviated.” He added that any decision should be based on mutual interests and in compliance with the Joint Plan of Action, which is mutually agreed upon.