Τετάρτη 17 Νοεμβρίου 2010

iran says no agreement on nuclear talks yet

* Foreign minister says talks ongoing to decide agenda, venue for December negotiations

TEHRAN: Iran and world powers have yet to agree on the venue and agenda for a resumption of nuclear talks planned for December 5, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday. “The consultations are ongoing,” foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told reporters. “We have reached an agreement on the date. For the rest, once there is an agreement we will announce it.”

“If the goal of both parties is to achieve cooperation and to solve many global problems, then the place and the framework of the talks can be agreed on,” said Mehmanparast. “We believe these discussions will take place ... and we hope they will bear fruit,” he added. Mehmanparast, on calls to suspend uranium enrichment, reiterated Iran’s line that Tehran would “never abandon its rights.”

On Friday, EU diplomacy chief Catherine Ashton agreed to resume long-stalled nuclear talks between Tehran and world powers on December 5, a date proposed by Iran, but with the venue either in Switzerland or Austria. Ashton represents Britain, China, France, Russia, Germany and the United States in the talks aimed at allaying Western concerns that Iran’s nuclear activities are masking a weapons drive under the guise of a civilian programme. Tehran has repeatedly denied the charge.

The two sides decided in September to resume talks suspended since October 2009, and Tehran proposed Istanbul, considered an ally of Iran on the nuclear file, as the venue. Iran has yet to respond to the new proposed venues. The two sides also differ on the agenda. reuters.


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