ID :
156457
Sun, 01/09/2011 - 12:56
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https://www.oananews.org//node/156457
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Iran, 5+1 to start talks on Jan. 21
TEHRAN, Jan. 9 (MNA) -- The first round of talks between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany in 2011 will be held in Istanbul on January 21 and 22, announced Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Saturday.
Reportedly, the date was set after Davutoglu held separate telephone conversations with Saeed Jalili, Tehran’s main negotiator, and Iranian Acting Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi on Thursday.
Davutoglu had already spoken with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton earlier in the week.
Iran and the 5+1 group (the United States, China, France, Russia, Britain and Germany) resumed talks in early December in Geneva after more than a year hiatus.
Saeed Jalili, the Supreme National Security Council Secretary, who represented Iran during the Geneva talks, after the end of the talks said that both sides agreed that the next round of talks to be held in Istanbul in late January and focus on “common ground for cooperation.”
The Iranian delegation also made it clear that Iran would never negotiate on its inalienable nuclear rights, including uranium enrichment, with any country.
“We will not talk about Iran’s nuclear rights, and Iran will never accept pressure,” Jalili said.
However, Ashton, who represented the major powers during the talks, reneged on the agreement and in the statement she read out after the end of talks said, “Iran’s nuclear program is the central purpose of these talks.”
In the latest development, Iran decided to invite some members of the UN Security Council, the European Union, the Group of 77, and Non-aligned Movement to visit Natanz nuclear enrichment plant and Arak heavy water reactor on January 15 and 16.
Ali Asghar Soltanieh, Iran’s envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency, also announced last Tuesday that ten countries’ ambassadors to the Vienna-based agency will tour Iranian nuclear facilities.
“The invitation is in line with the Islamic Republic’s transparent nuclear policy,” Soltanieh said.
Allowing a tour of Arak heavy water reactor is a significant move because even based on the IAEA safeguards, Iran is not required to allow the inspection of this site.
The tour of the nuclear sites will come about one week before the talks, and it will affect the talks.
Pundits have described Iran’s initiative as a constructive step to build confidence.
They also say it proves the truthfulness of the Iranian officials’ assertion that Tehran’s nuclear program is meant for peaceful applications.
Ahmet Davutoglu also said on Saturday that Iran’s invitation for visit of its nuclear sites “can bring the two sides (Iran and the major powers) closer to each other.”
Diplomatic sources believe that the move shows Iran does not want to limit its negotiations only with the 5+1 group and seeks to involve other countries in the talks.
Reportedly, the date was set after Davutoglu held separate telephone conversations with Saeed Jalili, Tehran’s main negotiator, and Iranian Acting Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi on Thursday.
Davutoglu had already spoken with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton earlier in the week.
Iran and the 5+1 group (the United States, China, France, Russia, Britain and Germany) resumed talks in early December in Geneva after more than a year hiatus.
Saeed Jalili, the Supreme National Security Council Secretary, who represented Iran during the Geneva talks, after the end of the talks said that both sides agreed that the next round of talks to be held in Istanbul in late January and focus on “common ground for cooperation.”
The Iranian delegation also made it clear that Iran would never negotiate on its inalienable nuclear rights, including uranium enrichment, with any country.
“We will not talk about Iran’s nuclear rights, and Iran will never accept pressure,” Jalili said.
However, Ashton, who represented the major powers during the talks, reneged on the agreement and in the statement she read out after the end of talks said, “Iran’s nuclear program is the central purpose of these talks.”
In the latest development, Iran decided to invite some members of the UN Security Council, the European Union, the Group of 77, and Non-aligned Movement to visit Natanz nuclear enrichment plant and Arak heavy water reactor on January 15 and 16.
Ali Asghar Soltanieh, Iran’s envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency, also announced last Tuesday that ten countries’ ambassadors to the Vienna-based agency will tour Iranian nuclear facilities.
“The invitation is in line with the Islamic Republic’s transparent nuclear policy,” Soltanieh said.
Allowing a tour of Arak heavy water reactor is a significant move because even based on the IAEA safeguards, Iran is not required to allow the inspection of this site.
The tour of the nuclear sites will come about one week before the talks, and it will affect the talks.
Pundits have described Iran’s initiative as a constructive step to build confidence.
They also say it proves the truthfulness of the Iranian officials’ assertion that Tehran’s nuclear program is meant for peaceful applications.
Ahmet Davutoglu also said on Saturday that Iran’s invitation for visit of its nuclear sites “can bring the two sides (Iran and the major powers) closer to each other.”
Diplomatic sources believe that the move shows Iran does not want to limit its negotiations only with the 5+1 group and seeks to involve other countries in the talks.
