Vienna II Talks Start Formally

Vienna, March 18, IRNA -- Formal talks between Iran and six western powers on Tehranˈs peaceful nuclear program started in Vienna Tuesday morning, IRNA reported here Tuesday. The meeting was chaired by Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and European Union foreign policy deputy chief Helga Schmid and dwelt on four aspects, notably uranium enrichment, Arak heavy water reactor, peaceful nuclear cooperation and the removal of sanctions. Talks focused also on charting out a roadmap for a final nuclear agreement. Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held talks with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton who is negotiating with Iran on behalf of the six western powers - US, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany. /end