Swedish FM Upbeat On Chances For Permanent Nuclear Agreement

Berlin, Feb 3, IRNA -- Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt on Sunday expressed optimism that a lasting nuclear accord with Iran could be achieved. Addressing a round-table discussion on Iran at the high-profile Munich Security Conference, Bildt said while a six-month time frame for a final deal was ˈambitious,ˈ it was ˈdoableˈ if all sides in the nuclear talks showed ˈgoodwill.ˈ There is a ˈwindow of opportunityˈ that needs to be used, the Swedish minister said ahead of his upcoming visit to Iran. Pointing to a ˈphase of accelerating diplomatic activitiesˈ on the Iranian nuclear issue, Bildt urged all parties involved in the negotiation process to ˈkeep the momentumˈ going. Bildt made clear that once the Iranian nuclear issue has been resolved, all Western sanctions had to be lifted. Swedenˈs top diplomat did also acknowledge though that both sides had yet to overcome a ˈgulf of mistrust.ˈ Meanwhile, Bildt reaffirmed Iranˈs right to have peaceful civilian nuclear program./end