Salehi: Other Countries Besides Turkey May Be Ready To Host Talks With G5+1

Tehran, Feb 22, IRNA – Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said on Tuesday that Turkey is ready to host talks between Iran and G5+1 but other countries might voice readiness to play hosts to the negotiations. Salehi made the remarks in a joint press conference with his Omani counterpart Yusef Ben Alavi in Tehran on Tuesday. By next Saturday, other countries might voice readiness to host talks between Iran and G5+1, Salehi said, adding that Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili and EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton are to decide on the venue of the meeting, which will be specified by next Saturday or Sunday. “Since Turkey has already hosted the event, I think the country is suitable enough to be venue of the negotiations once again,” Salehi said. "Media persons are also invited to inspect the country’s nuclear sites to witness the significant breakthrough to this effect,” Salehi said. Iran is to broaden relations with all countries in the world except the Zionist regime, he said. There have been many ups and downs in relations between Iran and Europe, Salehi said adding that unfortunately the European states are pursuing the US policies but we believe that they should follow their independent policies. Iran could be a reliable trade partner in the energy sector, but it seems they do not have a deep understanding of the realities in the country, Salehi said. Iran calls for having the best relations with the European Union, he said. “We know that there are many European states that wish to broaden ties and cooperation with Iran but under the pressure of the US or certain European countries they have to change approach,” he said. Salehi expressed the hope that the European Union would adopt more rational and logical decisions and Iran will spare no efforts to help deepen and broaden ties with Europe. The behavior of western media indicates that they have been angered by Iran’s scientific breakthrough and development, he said. “We never boast of our capabilities as our words are the same as our deeds,' he said. “We are among a few countries that can produce nuclear plates and export them after meeting domestic needs,” Salehi said. The Omani foreign minister, for his part denied rumors that he has come to Tehran to mend fences between Iran and the US. “I have no specific mission to mediate between Iran and the US,' said the Omani foreign minister./end